The Senior British Clubs League, Premier Division is to move from home-and-away to a hosted weekend format from next season following consultation with clubs.
The clubs currently in the division, plus other high-performing clubs which want to compete at that level, have voted to support the change.
Photo above: Brighton claimed the Premier Division trophy when they won away to Ormesby in the final round of fixtures this season. Photo by Chris Rayner.
Following a process to consider the implications and possible timeframe for any change, including logistics and practicalities, a meeting was held last week with the current and aspirant clubs, and a further round of consultation has reconfirmed this direction – 63% of clubs stated national weekends as their top preference, and 100% of clubs agreed to support this format.
The move will bring the Premier Division into line with the rest of the Senior BCL playing structure, including the Championship.
However, as distinct from the Championship, the Premier Division will feature eight teams rather than 10, and different clubs will host the weekends during the course of the season.
Willingness to host a weekend will be a mandatory requirement of entry, and venues will be agreed based on a hosting submission and evaluation process.
It is envisaged that a rotating programme of venues will see weekends hosted in each region, for example Scotland, North, Midlands and South.
The aims of the change are to ensure the format is:
- More cost-effective for participating teams
- More attractive for prospective entrants
- More engaging for the wider table tennis community
- Enjoyed by the players
In addition, the format provides the best opportunity to promote and raise the profile of the competition.
Entries open on 2 June and vacancies for additional entrants will be prioritised from the highest-placed eligible teams from the Championship Division (other than a team relegated from that division).
