Southern Conference League Grand Final to take place in Aldershot

The new Southern Conference League has been officially launched, and the inaugural Grand Final will be held at the Aldershot Military Stadium in Hampshire in September.

The competition, which brings together 14 teams from the south of England and Wales, will begin on April 27, and run throughout the summer.

The SCL will pause for the Wembley weekend before resuming with quarter-finals on August 31, where the top four from the East Division will meet the top four from the West, followed by the semi-finals on September 7 and then the climax in Aldershot on September 14.

Rugby Football League chairman, Ralph Rimmer, commented: “We’re excited about this new competition, and the response it’s already received from the teams involved.

“It will provide a higher and more regular level of competition for the leading players and clubs across the south of England and Wales.

“Another of the priorities for the SCL will be encouraging the clubs to look beyond their senior teams, and to encourage more children to take up the game.

“The Military Stadium in Aldershot will be a fitting stage for the inaugural Grand Final and we’re grateful to the continued support for Rugby League from the Armed Forces for making that possible.”

Hammersmith Hills Hoists, North Herts Crusaders, Hemel Stags, London Charges, South London Silverbacks, Brixton Bulls, Wests Warriors, Eastern Rhinos, Cardiff Blue Dragons, Torfaen Tigers, Swindon St George and Valley Cougars will compete in the 2019 Southern Conference League.