SCOTTISH RESERVE TEAM LEAGUES
The recent survey of clubs participating in the Reserve Leagues produced a 57% to 43% vote in favour of retaining two national reserve leagues. In view of this vote the planned move to one national reserve league next season, with all other teams playing in regional leagues, has been put on hold. Further to this decision for season 2010/11, there will now be two national reserve leagues of 12 teams. In order to implement this change, the Board of Scottish Rugby has agreed that the existing Reserve League Regulation 2 (Transitional Provisions for 2009/10) will be amended and that the following promotion/relegation mechanism will be used for the current season:

Promotion and relegation 2009/10
1 There will be two up and two down between National Reserve League 1 and National Reserve League 2
2 Two teams will be relegated to the Regional Reserve Leagues from National Reserve League 2
3 There will be no promotion from the Regional Reserve Leagues to National 2 (please note that the current Regulations made no provision for play offs this season but, for the avoidance of doubt, it is re-emphasised that there will be no play-offs this season)
4 At the end of the season a rank order will be produced in each of the three Regional Reserve Leagues, with teams allocated to their appropriate division.

The ranking process will recognise the following:
a) The return of clubs to their own regional area (a principle agreed last year for introduction in 2010/11)
b) Accommodate any potential inclusion of additional Border teams (a process of integration begun this season).
c) Change the geographical format of the Caledonia leagues (recognising the differing geographical needs of the area).

Note: Actions 2 & 3 will allow National Reserve League 2 to return to a 12 team league for season 2010/2011

Election of Reserve League Committee
On the conclusion of the ranking process elections will be called to elect representatives to administer the Reserve League Regulations from season 2010/11. The election process will be communicated to all clubs in due course.

This article was posted on 22-Apr-2010, 06:33 by Hugh Barrow.