30^th December 2007

To: All clubs in London Division

Increase of level 8 (London 4NW, 4NE, 4SE & 4SW) from 10 to 12 club leagues next season 2008-09.

The response to the consultation at level 8 was overwhelmingly in favour and your Organising Committee were unanimous there was a clear mandate to increase level 8 to 12 club leagues next season. The RFU Competitions Sub-committee has subsequently ratified the change.

Level Transfer of Bognor and Chichester from London SE to London SW.

London and the RFU Competitions Sub-committee have also approved the permanent Level Transfer of Bognor and Chichester to Hampshire ONLY for the purposes of competing in the leagues. The mileage currently travelled by these two clubs and their opposition is vastly excessive and the geographic argument to align them to Hampshire was compelling. After promotion and relegation has been effected at the end of this season both clubs will transfer from the SE to the SW leg of the London leagues.

Promotion and Relegation

Level 7. Promotion and relegation remains unchanged. Any consequent imbalance in the number of clubs in London 3SE and 3SW next season will be addressed by the Level Transfer Regulations which Bognor and Chichester will still be subject to, but as Hampshire clubs.

Level 8. The number of clubs in London 4 Leagues will be determined by Game Regulation Appendix (C)(vii) and the note thereto. Promotion remains unchanged and the requisite number of Clubs shall be relegated on a geographical/ Divisional/ Constituent Body basis.

That will mean less relegation from all level 8 leagues with the exception of one extreme scenario in London 4SW. This would result in relegation being the same as if there had been no changes, the normal THREE plus ONE more caused by the possible ‘relegation cascade’ effect of O. Mid-Whitgiftians.

• If Bognor do not gain promotion (to 3SW) and Level Transfer (to 4SW).

A glance at the league table reveals that this alone is very unlikely.

• If Chichester are relegated from London 3SE (to 4SW).
• If O. Mid-Whitgiftians are relegated from London 3SE (to 4SW).

Should all three of the above occur then a maximum of FOUR clubs will be relegated from London 4SW, the same FOUR clubs who would normally have been relegated.

Each of the three determining factors may be decided some time before the end of the season enabling clubs to know in advance exactly how many will be relegated. Clubs will be kept fully informed via a dedicated page on our web-site www.rfulondon.com

Please contact any member of the Committee if you require further information.

London Divisional Organising Committee