Overview

• Creation of a new four-date National Series for top U13, U15 & U19 boys and girls – a regular high-quality competitive opportunity for the top cohort in each youth age-group
• Alignment of the National Club Leagues (NCL/NJL and British League) under the same branding and processes
• National Championships re-grouped into different age-groups
• U11 & U13 National Championships to become Open events for all ages from U10 to U13 inclusive
• U11/U13 Area Team Event – a new targeted team competition opportunity for priority age-groups at area level
• U21 National Cup – a new event to aid retention and provide valuable competition opportunity to this priority cohort
• 1*, 2*, 4* & Grand Prix events to sit within a new Tiered Open Tournament structure

There will be a staggered approach to implementation with some initial changes happening in 23/24 season, a number of changes happening in the 24/25 season and the plan is to complete implementation in the 25/26 season. 

Below is a summary of when the new or revised competitions will be implemented: 

Competition – Implementation season

U10 – U13 National Championships – 2023/24 

Cadet & U17 National Championships – 2024/25 

Junior & U21 National Championships – 2024/25 

National Series – 2024/25 

U21 National Cup – 2024/25 

National Club Leagues – 2024/25 

Tiered Open Tournaments (partial) – 2024/25 

U11 & U13 Area Team Cup – 2025/26 

Tiered Open Tournaments (complete) – 2025/26 

No immediate change is proposed to the formats of County Championships competitions (U15, U19, All Ages, Veterans and O60s) – a county representative league programme, which provides alternative and mixed-gender team units to supplement club structure, and a representative honour below national team level. The County Championships Committee will be engaged to consider opportunities for evolution and to deliver in a defined footprint (eg specific dates)