National Conference League suspended for 2020

The league’s four divisions will be replaced by a series of regionalised groups.

Just two rounds of matches had been completed in the Conference’s premier, first and second divisions when rugby league at all levels was shutdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak midway through last month.

Conference Division Three was four weeks into its season.

Conference officials had hoped to resume fixtures on June 6, but that proposal has now been scrapped as “unrealistic”.

In a message to clubs, chairman Trevor Hunt confirmed the Conference’s management has “with some sadness” unanimously agreed to suspend the 2020 campaign.

He said: “There will be no promotion or relegation, but by the creation of a number of local derby games it is hoped clubs will be able to maximise revenue from good-sized attendances, at the same time saving on the amount of travel required.”

Hunt said the regional groupings and number of matches will “very much depend on a fixture start date being provided by the RFL, in agreement with the government”.

He added: “We have a number of options that give a varying number of fixtures and which are flexible in the way they can be organised to give more or less games as the pandemic events unfold.

“What we will do is provide a meaningful competition that will give the players, coaches and fans something to aspire to, along with an ultimate Championship final.

“We will of course enable the players two to three weeks to get match fit.”

Leeds side Hunslet Club Parkside were second in the Premier Division following wins in both their opening two matches.

Division One included Stanningley, Milford and Oulton Raiders, with Hunslet Warriors having been promoted to Division Two and East Leeds occupying Division Three following relegation last year.

Betfred Super League, the Championship and League One have yet to reveal when and how they will resume.