THE BARLA XAMAX NATIONAL CUP 2017
BARLA are pleased to announce that the BARLA Xamax National Cup 2017 will take place again next year when National Conference League side and current cup holders Thornhill Trojans will be ready to defend their trophy against all opposition.
Thornhill, who earned a place in the 2017 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup through winning the National Cup 2016, will be hoping as will BARLA that fellow National Conference sides will have vision and pick up the baton to take part as last year’s runners up Myton Warriors and 2015 winners Egremont Rangers have done.
Not every club is invited into the Challenge Cup nor enter the National Conference Cup. For these clubs and all other clubs from all playing leagues it gives a chance to put into training onto the field competively until their respective seasons begin.
Through again working with the RFL dates have been put in place beginning with a preliminary round on Saturday 7th January to the final on Saturday 28th May at a ground to be announced early next year. The opening three rounds take place before the summer leagues commence and the three latter rounds are being played on Bank Holiday Saturdays which assist the club coffers of those competing clubs drawn at home at those stages.
BARLA have worked hard to cause minimal disruption to all playing leagues during their respective winter and summer season and alternative dates are in place for amateur sides involved in the early round of the Challenge Cup.
BARLA are hoping that as in previous years clubs outside it’s ‘heartlands’ will enquire and compete in the competition to test themselves against the best to make a name for themselves.
Clubs can enter the cup via their own District Leagues or through the BARLA Secretary and can download an entry form which is self explanatory from the BARLA website then send that back with the entry fee, to BARLA, 4 New North Parade, HD1 5JP.
For those clubs who are part of the BARLA Membership Scheme which was launched this October the entry is free and for none members it is £15 and the membership scheme is still open to all clubs and all District Leagues and playing leagues
Closing entry for clubs is 17th December 2016.
BARLA Vice Chair Steve Manning,
“Once again that time of the year has come around again as BARLA are inviting all amateur clubs from the country to play in the BARLA Xamax National Cup in 2017 to see who is the best in the country.
“Thornhill Trojans this year’s winners are looking to defend their trophy and expect a tough challenge from clubs from all leagues whatever time they play the game. We hope to make next year bigger, brighter and better and build on participants from this year’s blue riband event.
“Throughout the years it was the trophy that every club wanted to win and in many respects all clubs still do. We have worked hard with our governing body the RFL to come up with the dates for the rounds so as to cause minimal disruption.
“This see’s the opening three rounds before the summer leagues begin and the last eight clubs that reach that stage will see games in the final rounds played on Bank Holidays. Clubs part of the recent BARLA Membership Scheme gain free entry non members will pay a £15 entrance fee”.
The Dates:
Prel Round Saturday 7th January
Round one Saturday 28th January
Round two Saturday 11th February
Quarter Finals Saturday 15th April……Bank Holiday weekend
Semi finals Saturday 29th April…….Bank Holiday weekend
Final: Saturday 27th May……..Bank Holiday weekend.
Please note that any team that is in the RFL Challenge cup on the 28th/29th January will play on the 4th/5th then the next round on the 18th/19th of February.
Steve Manning
BARLA Media Manager
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