Summer Merit League Launched for current 13s & 14s - 8th May, 2008

All games are played as friendlies although points can be 'won' and a merit table will be compiled.  A small shield or similar will be available to the team topping the league.

Games can be played between any number of players but teams must be of equal number, maximum 13 a side, unlimited subs.

Games can be of any length but not exceeding the time limits for their age group. Games can be played in more than 2 halves.

All players must hold a 07/08 registration card which must be checked by opposition coach.

Service Area players cannot play until August. Lists will be obtained from each Service Area to confirm those players selected.

Players selected for Regional Camp cannot play at all.

Any team found to have played Service Area or Regional Camp players will have all points removed from the table. Team sheets will be monitored.

Games to be played between the first Sunday in June and last Sunday in August but can be played any day of the week.

Games must be arranged between the teams concerned and a team sheet filled in. Match must be notified beforehand and a team sheet completed afterwards and emailed to meritleague@yahoo.co.uk.

Teams will be encouraged to loan players to the opposition to balance numbers.

Referees will not be appointed - the clubs must find their own or do it themselves. These are only friendlies.

All administration will be by email - no telephone calls to league officials! This will enable a break of sorts for the management as emails can be dealt with in their own time.

League positions for points purposes (see below) will be based on this season's divisions (0708).

Festival games, if results reported, will count towards the merit table. A list of teams and players taking part must be emailed as above along with the relevant results. Team sheets for individual matches will not be required. All teams will be deemed to be playing away (inc. the host club)

POINTS

1 point for a home win against a team from a lower division
2 points for an away win against a team from a lower division
2 points for a home win against a team from a higher division
3 points for an away win against a team from a higher division.

Both teams get an extra point for playing home and away fixtures (Pair)
A team will gain an extra point for lending players to the opposition.

We have made contact with the organisers of the Summer Conference Merit League who we believe are running a similar concept for their own under 14s. Any teams wishing to play against teams from other areas will be encouraged, for development purposes, to do so. This is not restricted to the Midlands but opposition players must be registered with the RFL/BARLA

A point will be gained for playing teams from development areas at home
2 points will be gained for playing teams from development areas away from home

Table will be produced based on average points gained per game played (minimum 2)

This will encourage teams to:

1 - Keep together
2 - Use their squad for development
3 - Encourage development in other areas