21/02/2023
Email to Club Secretaries about League Committee suggestions to balance up Divisions- 20/2/23.
At the League AGM the League discussed balancing up the number of teams in the Divisions to provide a more equal playing standard in the divisions.
The League committee discussed this topic at the last committee meeting and would like all clubs to discuss the suggestions and feedback to the League Secretary before the end of the playing season.
These are some of the ideas that the co mitten came up with but if your club has any alternative ideas please get in touch with the League Secretary.
1. The number of teams in Divisions
At present there are 3 Divisions - 9 teams in Division 1, playing 16 matches, 10 teams in Division 2 playing 18 matches and 6 teams in Division 3, which played each other 3 times, so play 15 matches.
You may ask why change, well we believe that all teams/players should have a similar number of matches in a season and that as many of these matches as possible need to be competitive for the benefit of all.
Other important points to think about are:
* how many matches clubs want in a season?
* Does the season start at the beginning of October or earlier?
* When is the Christmas/New Year break?
* When does the season finish?
* Where do the Cups and tournaments fit in?
a) Suggestion 1 - Stay with 3 Divisions
This suggestion is to start the balancing up process for next season and the process can be completed over the next 2 or 3 years (dependent on the number of new or departing teams
At the end of this season:
*1 team goes down in Division 1
*1 team goes up and 2 down in Division 2
*1 team up in Division 3
This creates 9 teams in Division 1, 9 in Division 2 and 7 in Division 3, where Division 3 would play each team 3 times giving 18 matches and 16 matches for Division 1 and 2.
b) Suggestion 2 - Split the 3 Divisions into 4 Divisions for next season.
With 25 teams in League, there would be 6 or 7 teams in each division, providing Divisions of more equal ability.
Teams will play each other 3 times, so there would be 15 or 18 matches and the divisions would be based on this seasons League tables.
2. Loan system extended to Division 2
The suggestion is to extend the loan scheme to Division 2 which is already used in Division 3, to help get more matches played. This means that any player in Division 2 who wishes to play for another clubs team in Division 2, if requested to do so. This is only applicable if thee are to be 3 Divisions next season. The number of times a loan player can be loaned may be restricted.
If this is brought in have clubs any thoughts on:
*What would be an appropriate maximum number of matches a loanee may play?
*What guidance/rules should there be about using players from your lower teams before requesting a loan player?
Obviously if there are to be 4 divisions next season this could be applicable to Division 3 of the new structure.
Does your club have an opinion on any of the suggestions above?
