New beginnings [18/Apr/18]
Between them, the 5 Regional Leagues are almost always on the increase. In this 2017/18 season, Brighton (SEAL) and Chester (NEUAL) joined their respective leagues, whilst Bournemouth and Bangor have contributed scores to SWWU for the first time. An editorial at the start of the year noted that "most clubs who are [now] joining leagues for the first time are themselves new or new-ish and may well need time to adjust to the competitive demands of their new surroudings, i.e. may well finish last.". In their debut seasons, Brighton avoided the SEAL wooden spoon, whilst Chester await the publication of the final NEUAL results.
Both clubs have been competitive with at least some of the clubs around them straight away and whilst these things rarely move in a straight line, there can be no doubt that repeated exposure to competition improves clubs both in terms of organisational and team scores.
Perhaps surprisingly, BUTTS haven't formally added any new clubs since Nottingham Trent in 2010/11, although De Montfort have guested at a few events. There are now a few new/new-ish clubs in that area and De Montfort will play host a one-off fixture against Coventry, city rivals Leicester, Lincoln and Northampton on Saturday 21st April. The intention is that next season these 5 clubs will contest a series of BUTTS "Divison 2" matches, with the long term goal of fully integrating into the main BUTTS league - and swelling it from 8 to potentially 13 teams. De Montfort hosted (and won) a similar match in 2016 and hope to build enough momentum from these matches
Other new clubs that could potentially be joining the fray next season are at Royal Holloway (SEAL), Glasgow and Stirling (both SSS), with Bangor having expressed an interest in SWWU.
On the subject of new beginnings, please contact UKSAA with new contact information for the Club Directory. This is particularly relevant for clubs who have recently held an AGM.
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