The RFL have done away with two National Conference leagues, meaning only the Premier and First Divisions survive – all other leagues throughout the country have been affected.

What has caused massive concerns for Barrow and west Cumbria along with the National conference and North West Men’s League is that they were not consulted until the structure was well in place.

Meetings with RFL personnel including Martyn Coyd the Chair of the rugby football league’s Community Board, and also an executive and a director of the RFL along with Cumbria have taken place over the past few days.

And despite the clubs airing their views, they were told in no uncertain terms there is no going back.

Millom and Barrow Island have been members of the Conference for several decades, while Askam also spent several years in the competition.

Ulverston, Dalton, Hindpool, Roose Pioneers and Askam have all featured in the North West Men’s League along with Walney, who have not had a team for two years.

These clubs will now go into a National Conference Cumbria league.

The Cumbria Conference Division will be Millom, Barrow Island, Distington, Ellenborough, Hensingham, Maryport, Seaton, Dalton, Hindpool and Ulverston.

The two leagues below will consist of mainly ‘A’ teams. Barrow area – Barrow Island A, Dalton A, Hindpool A, Millom A, Ulverston A

The Cumbria Premier Division is Askam, Cockermouth, Flimby, Kells A, Lowca, Wath Brow A and Roose Pioneers, at the time of going to press.

Hindpool coach Kev Kyte said: “The decision was to put to us at short notice, and we were then given a choice of which new league to play in namely North West or Cumbria to which we chose North West as we had played in the North West competitions for the past 25 years (South Lancashire clubs) and it was accepted, only for the RFL to take away our choice two days later.

“A meeting for all clubs was arranged with a top RFL board member to say nothing was finalised and email the appropriate people with reasoning to stay in the North West leagues which we did.

“Then we were informed that the final decision is for us to play in a Cumbria League that catapults a depleted Hindpool club into a league of Premier and National teams.

“I think it’s an absolutely ridiculous idea.”

Roose Pioneers coach Lee Edmondson also slammed the decision.

He said: “Not happy to be honest, the proposals had Barrow grouped with North West regions (South Lancashire) which we were happy with, and at the last minute placed us all in the Cumbria region leagues.

“I think Barrow is an afterthought and a headache for them if I am being honest, and we have been sacrificed in order to appease other areas.”

Dalton coach Paul Armsrong said: “Disappointed to be honest and I am struggling to understand the supposed benefits of a concentrated Cumbria Conference.

“We at Dalton have worked really hard over the last few years to establish ourselves in the North West Men’s League.

“Our main aim for 2026 was to cement our place in the Premier Division, and challenge for a top-four place having narrowly missed out last year in our debut season.

“We have a fantastic youth section, and we picked up several trophies last year.

“Despite this feedback to both the NWC (North West Counties) and RFL we have nothing back other than a generic acknowledgement to our concerns along with a further reiteration that Cumbria Conference will remain as communicated.

“We have had this thrust upon us in what feels like a hasty restructuring.”

Ulverston coach Marc Storey. Said: “My view is that it’s been rushed, no one wants it to happen from around this area.

“We will lose players over this and maybe some clubs, but the RFL will not listen they have made their minds up.

“When this was first proposed by the RFL, we were in the North West Men’s League then all of a sudden we are in a Cumbria League

“We have done this Cumbria league in the past and it didn’t work then, and it won’t work this time. All Barrow clubs should refuse the RFL proposals.

“It’s alright for Lancashire clubs all close to one and other, but Cumbria is a big county, it is much easier travelling wise to go to Wigan than go up the Coast”

Millom coach: Brad Crellin added: “Initially our thoughts as a club were furious and to be honest still are.

“The way the RFL have gone about things seems like there is no reasoning for concerned clubs.

“Millom has been a part of the National Conference since the formation several years back and for the RFL to come in the way they have to drastically change things hasn’t gone down well in Millom.

“From what we know there is to be no listening to all clubs, unfortunately the RFL are forcing everyone’s hands with their proposals.

“However, we have to be positive there is less travelling and it will be an extremely competitive division which should draw big crowds and I have my suspicions as to how long it will last after the first season.”

Barrow Island club stalwart John Jefferson said: “It was not the Island’s first option but following a NCL meeting on Wednesday it looks nailed on to be part of the Cumbria Conference.

“The way it has been conducted from the start has been atrocious with no thoughts of Cumbria clubs.

“We will go into the new set up and do our best to get into the play offs and get back into the National Conference first division.

Askam have a new coaching set up in former Barrow players Tom Wilkinson and Mike Wilson, recently appointed.

Both agree they haven’t had much time to digest what is going on.

But Terry Barker, secretary of the Barrow league shared his thoughts. He said: “On behalf of the Barrow and district ARL the RFL have been discussing a new structure for 12 months.

“They first approached us early September about the new structure within two weeks they suggested that Dalton, Hindpool, Roose Pioneers and Ulverston stay in the NWCL.

“At the beginning of November they changed their mind and came up with a Cumbria league with all teams allocated to the new Cumbria conference with the exception of Roose Pioneers in the league below.

“We suggested this could lead to clubs folding, they will not change their minds unless other teams are found to replace them (There are not any).

“When the proposal first came out there was an option to opt out, that no longer applies.

“The Barrow and District league which has been operating since the early 1900s is now defunct as is Carla (Cumberland League).”