New Nemla Teams next season?

[LivTeamJones26]

A quick glance at the BUCS Prem North, Durham beat Sheffield Uni 39-0 (gulp) on Wednesday

Has anyone tried getting them into NEMLA? A new team that has Prem 1 potential and probably won't struggle to raise a squad........

[UKLacrosse]

A quick glance at the BUCS Prem North, Durham beat Sheffield Uni 39-0 (gulp) on Wednesday

Has anyone tried getting them into NEMLA? A new team that has Prem 1 potential and probably won't struggle to raise a squad........

Rumours abounded at the time that one of the reasons for the NEMLA restructuring was to allow Durham to join
the league without having to start at the bottom. Reason given, or rumoured at the time, was that they couldn't commit to the time/ costs.

[Sour37]

It's all about BUCS for Durham, it's the way they justify the reduced fees to the Uni.

[wimmerlax]

Also if you were a yank, over to do your masters and having already played 4 years of lax at uni, it'd be hard to give up your weekends to travel down to manchester and back every week

[LivTeamJones26]

Lack of time seems a bit weak, they must've travelled miles for some games in college, how would this be any different for anyone else in nemla chalking up the miles...

They can still win BUCS and play in Nemla... it just seems to me hammering everyone week in week out would be boring....

[wimmerlax]

My point is Ol in your masters year of uni in England would you rather do a 10 hour round trip most saturdays or stay in durham and get ratted and shark on rich girls? i personally wouldn't fancy going back to the stuipd road trips we had every week at uni

[Phil]

A quick glance at the BUCS Prem North, Durham beat Sheffield Uni 39-0 (gulp) on Wednesday

Has anyone tried getting them into NEMLA? A new team that has Prem 1 potential and probably won't struggle to raise a squad........

Rumours abounded at the time that one of the reasons for the NEMLA restructuring was to allow Durham to join
the league without having to start at the bottom. Reason given, or rumoured at the time, was that they couldn't commit to the time/ costs.

Now that's interesting because I heard wanted to go in at Prem 1, but were told they would have to go in at the bottom and didn't want to spend a couple of seasons working up to the top.

Phil

[wimmerlax]

Think it was in order to make the climb alot quicker.. Prem 3 to 1 in two seasons, rather then Div 5 to Prem in 4 seasons

[ibop]

Being fairly close to the situation, I reckon Sour has it closest, there is nothing in it for the uni in putting a team into NEMLA, BUCS is the only thing that brings in finance. They only pay lip service to having a real interest in the long game and whilst the success continues they will carry on. They could easily get a saturday side out, it wouldn't need to only be their first team, as there are able players on the seconds who would very much benefit from playing those kind of games. They are only in Durham for 10 weeks per term, so fitting all the games in might be a squeeze.

[Moaning Git]

It would be wrong to say that the league reorganisation was for the benefit of Durham. It would be accurate to say that it was done in the hope of a number of University based teams entering the Northern League, and that really still needs to happen for the good of the game.

I am really disappointed that Durham have not entered a team into the North League. As I understand it the Uni has a large number of registered players, so a team is surely feasible even without the superstars of the BUCs squad. Personally I am hoping Lincoln work out, that York have another go, that Lancaster try to get it together. Optimistic I know, but we live in hope

[toonlax]

If Durham students want to play NEMLA lacrosse then the club 15miles north would be a great place to start. Easily accessible by train but also a number of non students drive from the Durham area, so plenty of lifts available. That way, Newcastle could run two or more teams which would give an opportunity for the club to progress and develop.

[whopead]

I think Lincoln and Stoke need as much support as possible in the league. Nottingham took 2 refs to them today to help out which they greatly appreciated. I hope both teams and Oldham, Chester, HMG etc are supported in playing.

[Moaning Git]

From a growth point of view a Durham team would be better than 2 Newcastle teams, one of which would have to play in North 3. That does not mean that two club set ups could not cooperate, share resources, train jointly etc.

Whophead, you are right. new clubs cannot just be left to make it on their own, and established clubs in trouble should expect help and support from the league organisation and other clubs to get over tough times.

NEMLA needs to develop and adopt a new approach to their role, and start being proactive in supporting clubs. That would be helped if some new faces with new ideas put their hats into the ring as management committee members. A good start would be to look at Uni teams as part of the pathway to future growth encouraging and supporting their involvement in League North.