Following the RFU’s long awaited review of the League organisation the new structure for both our men’s Senior teams have just been announced.
The First team remain at Level 6 and join other North West and North East clubs in a merged League. This will result in some exciting local derbies involving Carlisle ,Keswick and Aspatria (who are both newly promoted ). Alongside that we get the chance to cross swords with some old rivals such as Percy Park, Stockton and Morpeth.

The League size has been reduced to 12 teams and so we only have 11 home games instead of the usual 13 but an inter-league Cup competition is anticipated at the end of the season which will guarantee at least one more home game.

The revised structure has been under review for a number of years and resultant League gives us competitive games, including the lucrative local derbies, and a general reduction in travel.
Meanwhile Penrith’s second string (designated as Cumbria II) have been accepted into the Counties 1 Cumbria league.
This team which will now be referred to as the Penrith Development side were faced with a major dilemma at the end of last season. With an increasing squad of players ,including a number of Colts who are due to move up ,the Club reviewed their options as to where to play. The Cumbria 2 fixture list last season resulted in only 3 home games plus a couple of friendlies as certain opposition teams were unable to fulfil our home fixtures. Given this scenario, there was a choice between remaining in Cumbria 2 ,with the risk that the same situation may occur or applying to re-join the Halbro North West leagues or apply to join Cumbria 1.

The Halbro option was rejected by the Lancashire clubs which left only the Cumbria 1 option.
We are under no illusions, it is a tough League containing all first teams many of which used to be regular fixtures for our First team. Each home game will need to be treated as a First team fixture with the usual requirements of sponsorship, match management etc.
Consequently we need to recruit more volunteers to help sustain us at this elevated level. We need a Team Manager to handle all the admin/match results; somebody to help with sponsorship; a kit manager and any other players and helpers that are available.
From the Club point of view we can look forward to a quality home game most Saturdays from either the First or Development sides.

For both Leagues the actual fixture list is not due to be published until mid-June so that is something to look forward to.
As far as other teams are concerned our Ladies, the Penrith Panthers, will play in Women’s Championship 2 North and face some great derbies against Upper Eden and Workington.
Whilst the current plan is to enter possibly two Colts teams into the North East leagues.
So all in all, a busy season looms and any help or support from any source will be gratefully received. It all kicks off in 3 months so don’t be shy -if you think you have something to offer then let us know.

More info- https://rise.articulate.com/share/26CsHbwNnui6nhtbatR0v03gYNbPO02M?spMailingID=19306298&spUserID=NjY4NTU2MDk1NjQ0S0&spJobID=1996212048&spReportId=MTk5NjIxMjA0OAS2#/