BARLA back the North West Counties Leagues

by NRL

have reacted to the news that Secretary Ron Girvin and his committee of the long established North West Counties League has made the descision to put the start of the 2012/13 season back to mid-September to give as many teams as possible the opportunity to join or rejoin the competition.

This is following applications from several teams, with others waiting in the wings, to return from the RFL's summer-based Dominos Pizza North West Counties Men's League.

BARLA Chairman Spen Allison,

"I'm delighted to learn that many clubs are now returning to the North West Counties ARL. After sampling the summer game it now seems they have realised that the grass is not as green as it had been promised to be.

"BARLA's stance has always been to support the clubs and players, for those clubs that wanted to try summer rugby did so with the association's blessing.

"Sadly many of these clubs were coerced into leaving an established league of long standing to join what can only be described as an experiment. Time is rapidly showing this to be the wrong choice and it's good to welcome them back.

"It would be remiss not to mention the hard work that the Girvin family has put in over the years and BARLA's sincere thanks must go to Ron, Jean, Ian and Neil for their continuing to fly the BARLA flag in these difficult times."

"We must offer them now, all the support that the association has to give."

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