A thorough process has taken place involving National League clubs and every effort has been made to ensure there are now 12 clubs in each division wherever possible ensuring a greater and more consistent number of clubs and matches per division across the board.
In order to achieve that balance and the optimum number of clubs per division, clubs from Division Three West C have been placed in neighbouring divisions on a geographical and meritocracy basis.
In North Wales, four second teams – Nant Conwy, Mold, Dinbych and Pwllheli will compete in Division Three North in order to bolster the strength of the division by creating additional fixtures and in doing so make the division more sustainable and competitive for all participating teams.
Julie Paterson, WRU Head of Rugby Operations said, “”We work closely with our clubs towards meeting a range of on and off field priorities all geared towards the improved sustainability of community clubs. The recent process took into account views across all aspects of the game and it is hoped the reorganisation of the League will help achieve more consistency geographically and at every level of the grassroots game.
“”We hope the new structure and the early release of fixtures -will help clubs in their efforts to be more sustainable on, and off the field including attracting and retaining players and supporters.””
WRU National Championship newcomers Trebanos and Rhydyfelin will get an early taste of the standards they will have to reach to be competitive in their new league by facing reigning champions Pontypool on the opening two weekends of the 2017/18 season.
Division 1 East winners Rhydyfelin head to Pontypool Park on the opening day of the season for one of the biggest games in their history. But they will travel full of confidence after an amazing promotion campaign that was completed with a play-off win over Division 1 East Central champions Treorchy.
While Pontypool took the Championship title with 98 points from 21 wins in their 22 games, Rhydyfelin topped the century in Division 1 East with 101 points from their 21 wins. While Pooler notched 14 try bonuses and bagged 115 tries, Rhydyfelin claimed 17 with 138.
It all points to an entertaining start at Pontypool Park on Saturday, 2 September. The newcomers have also strengthened their back line for the new campaign by re-singing wing Gavin Close.
Close returns to the club after spending time as player/coach at Taffs Well. He also spent time at Pontypridd and in his nine previous seasons at Rhydyfelin he scored 172 tries at an average of just over 19 per season.
He will provide competition for Jordan Rees, who created a club record with his 36 tries last season. Full back Dave Gratton was the top scorer with 250 in a season that also saw the club take the Glamorgan Silver Ball title with a 17-10 win in the final over Tondu.
Last season’s triumphs made it five promotions in six seasons for Rhydyfelin, who were playing in Division 5 South West in 2011. It has been a remarkable renaissance for a village club that has so long lived in the shadow of Pontypridd.
“We’ve always had aspirations of playing at the highest level and now it has become a reality,” said team manager Neil Jeremiah.
“We thought about playing in the Championship when we were going through the divisions. Everyone is really excited about the prospect of playing in this division and, for a little village club like ours, it’s incredible. There is a great feeling among the boys, they are all mates and they have all grown up together.
“We’ve recruited well over the years, all the players work hard and everyone just enjoys their rugby. There is no money involved, they just love the club.
“Over the years we’ve come second or won a play-off with our promotions, but last season was the first time in the last five years that we’d been outright winners and won the title.”
The week after they host Rhydyfelin, title holders Pontypool will head west to face Trebanos who will also be making their debut in the Championship after winning the Division 1 West Central crown and then beating Division 1 West champions Kidwelly in the play-offs.
Trebanos also won the West Wales Cup for the first time in their history, beating Bonymaen 33-0 in the final, and will kick-off their campaign with an away trip to Bedlinog.
Narberth, who finished as runners-up to Pontypool last season, will get their chance to take early revenge on Newbridge when they host the Gwent survivors in the opening round of matches. Newbridge had to win at the home of the Otters on the last day of the season to guarantee their Championship status and came up with a magnificent 43-29 victory.
Tata Steel will entertain Cardiff Met, the only team to beat Pontypool last season, and Skewen will host Newcastle Emlyn in the other opening day fixtures.
