While the top 10 clubs from last season have joined the professional ranks to form Super Rygbi Cymru, there will be no fewer than 298 teams taking part in 30 different leagues in 2024-25. This will be supported by cup competitions from Premiership and Championship level, right down through Divisions 1-5.
It means there will be a possible 149 games every Admiral National League weekend involving at least 4,470 players.
“The move to place the 10 Super Rygbi Cymru clubs into the professional game is vital in the development of our younger, aspiring players. It has also allowed us to make some key changes in our National League system,” said Geraint John, head of Community Rugby at the WRU.
“Having taken extensive soundings from clubs, coaches and players, we have been able to reduce the size of the vast majority of our leagues to 10 teams or less. This allows breathing space within the season and should allow us to finish the campaign on time, rather than trip over deep into May.
Newport Saracens won the Division 4 East title last season
“Having a 10 – 11 month season, which includes pre-season, is something we are trying to reduce to enable the fantastic volunteers who are the lifeblood of our game to spend time with their families and to have holidays to recharge their batteries.
“The only way to do this, weather permitting, is to try to end the season by the end of April. This is what clubs have asked for and the WRU is here to help.
“There will be provision for clubs to play during the Autumn Series of internationals this year. We want clubs to be at the heart of their communities and to be sustainable.
“The switch to divisional cup competitions has proved very popular and those fixtures will add to the picture during the season.
“By making the strategic switch from 12 to 10 teams we have also given clubs the chance to take a break over Christmas and fit in some traditional derby matches. We have also incorporated a number of 2nd XVs – rebranded as Athletic XVs – into the league system to give them more regular rugby.
“This system has worked very well over a number of seasons in north Wales and now it is expanded into the south.”
Nant Conwy were the north Wales champions once again
The new season will kick off on 7 September and is due to be completed on 26 April 2025. There will be plenty of local derbies in the opening round and the big game on the first day of action in the new Welsh Premiership will see two of the three teams who didn’t join Super Rygbi Cymru, Neath and Merthyr, clash at The Gnoll.
The other cub, Pontypridd, have a bye, while the Championship East winners, Bargoed, will host newly promoted Llangennech. In the Championship East, Penallta host Bedwas and Glamorgan Wanderers entertain St Peter’s in two big local derbies.
Llanelli Wanderers, who won both the Division 1 West title and the Division 1 Cup, meet Gowerton on their debut in the Championship West division. The team they beat to win the cup at Principality Stadium, Glynneath, went on to win Division 1 West Central – they kick-off at home against Tata Steel.
The divisional structure and fixtures for the Women’s Leagues will be announced shortly. This follows in-depth consultation with the clubs.
ADMIRAL NATIONAL DIVISIONS (39 teams – 3 leagues)
Premiership (13 teams)
Bargoed, Bonymaen, Brecon, Cardiff Met, Cross Keys, Llangennech, Merthyr, Narberth, Neath, Newbridge, Newcastle Emlyn, Pontypridd, Ystrad Rhondda
Championship East (13 teams)
Aberdare, Beddau, Bedwas, Brynmawr, Cambrian Welfare, Glamorgan Wanderers, Mountain Ash, Penallta, Rumney, St Peter’s, Talywain, Treorchy, Ynysddu
Championship West (13 teams)
Ammanford, Clwb Rygbi, Crymych, Dunvant, Glynneath, Gorseinon, Gowerton, Kenfig Hill, Llanelli Wanderers, Maesteg Harlequins, Tata Steel, Tondu, Trebanos, Ystalyfera
ADMIRAL EAST DIVISION (63 teams – 7 leagues)
1 East (10 teams)
Abergavenny, Abertillery Blaenau Gwent, Bedlinog, Blaenavon, Dowlais, Monmouth, Nelson, Newport HSOB, Pontypool United, Senghenydd
2 East (10 teams)
Abercarn, Blackwood, Blaina, Caldicot, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran, Garndiffaith, Pill Harriers, Risca, Usk
3 East (10 teams)
Abertysswg Falcons, Caerleon, Chepstow, Fleur de Lys, Machen, Nantyglo, New Panteg, Newport Saracens , Oakdale, Rhymney
4 East (10 teams)
Bedwellty, Bettws, Crickhowell, Crumlin, Forgeside, Gwernyfed, Llanhilleth, Pontllanfraith, RTB (Ebbw Vale), Whiteheads
5 East (10 teams)
Abersychan Alexanders, Beaufort, Blackwood Stars, Deri, Hafodyrynys, Hartridge, Hollybush, Magor, Tredegar Ironsides, West Mon
6 East A (7 teams)
Brynithel, Cwmcarn United, Girling, New Tredegar, Old Tyleryan, Trefil, Trinant
6 East B (6 teams)
Cardiff Internationals, Glyncoch, Llanrumney, St Julian’s HSOB, Sully Sports, Whitchurch
ADMIRAL EAST CENTRAL (56 teams – 6 leagues)
1 East Central (10 teams)
Abercwmboi, Abercynon, Barry, Llanharan, Llanishen, Penarth, Porth Harlequins, Rhiwbina, Rhydyfelin, St Joseph’s
2 East Central (10 teams)
Caerphilly, Cardiff Quins, Cilfynydd, Cowbridge, Gilfach Goch, Llantwit Fardre, Pentyrch, St Albans, Taffs Well, Ynysybwl
3 East Central (10 teams)
Canton, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd, Fairwater, Llandaff, Llantrisant, Llantwit Major, Penygraig, Tonyrefail, Treharris, Wattstown
4 East Central (10 teams)
Brackla, Cardiff Saracens, Dinas Powys, Ferndale, Llandaff North, Old Illtydians, Pontyclun, Treherbert, Tylorstown, Ynysowen
5 East Central (8 teams)
Caerau Ely, Cefn Coed, Hirwaun, Llandrindod Wells, Ogmore Vale, Old Penarthians, Pontycymer, Tref-Y-Clawdd
6 East Central (8 teams)
Bargoed Athletic, Bridgend Athletic 2nd XV, Brecon Athletic, Cardiff Met Athletic, Penallta Athletic, Rumney Athletic, St Peter’s Athletic, Tondu Athletic
ADMIRAL WEST CENTRAL (50 teams – 5 leagues)
1 West Central (10 teams)
Aberavon Green Stars, Birchgrove, Bridgend Athletic, Builth Wells, Morriston, Nantyffyllon, Skewen, Swansea Uplands, Vardre, Ystradgynlais
2 West Central (10 teams)
Aberavon Harlequins, Abercrave, Brynamman, Bryncethin, Heol y Cyw, Maesteg Celtic, Pencoed, Porthcawl, Pyle, Resolven
3 West Central (10 teams)
Baglan, Bridgend Sports Club, Bryncoch, Cefn Cribbwr, Cwmavon, Nantymoel, Neath Athletic, South Gower, Tonmawr, Tonna
4 West Central (10 teams)
Alltwen, Briton Ferry, Crynant, Cwmgors, Glais, Maesteg, Pontardawe, Pontrhydyfen, Rhigos, Seven Sisters
5 West Central (10 teams)
Banwen, Bonymaen Athletic, Cwmgwrach, Cwmllynfell, Cwmtwrch, Dunvant Athletic, Glyncorrwg, Penlan, Taibach
ADMIRAL WEST DIVISIONS (49 teams – 5 leagues)
1 West (10 teams)
Aberystwyth, Burry Port, Felinfoel, Kidwelly, Penclawdd, Pontarddulais, St Clears, Tenby United, Waunarlwydd, Hendy,
2 West (10 teams)
Betws, Carmarthen Athletic, Fishguard & Goodwick, Lampeter Town, Laugharne, Loughor, Milford Haven, Mumbles, Nantgaredig, Whitland
3 West (10 teams)
Aberaeron, Amman United, Cardigan, Cefneithin, Haverfordwest, Llandeilo, Llangadog, Pontyberem, Tumble, Tycroes
4 West A (9 teams)
Crymych Athletic, Llangwm, Llanybydder, Narberth Athletic, Newcastle Emlyn Athletic, Neyland, Pembroke Dock Harlequins, Pembroke, St David’s
4 West B (10 teams)
Bynea, Fall Bay, Furnace United, Llandybie, New Dock Stars, Pantyffynon, Penybanc, Pontyates, Tregaron, Trimsaran
ADMIRAL NORTH DIVISIONS (41 teams – 4 leagues)
1 North (12 teams)
Bala, Bethesda, Caernarfon, COBRA, Denbigh, Llandudno, Mold, Nant Conwy, Pwllheli, Ruthin, Wrexham, Llangefni
2 North (10 teams)
Abergele, Caernarfon Athletic, Colwyn Bay, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Nant Conwy Athletic, Newtown, Rhyl & District, Shotton Steel, Welshpool,
3 North East (10 teams)
Bro Gwernant, COBRA Athletic, Denbigh Athletic, Flint, Llanidloes, Mold Athletic, Rhosllanerchrugog, Rhyl Athletic, Ruthin Athletic, Wrexham Athletic
3 North West (9 teams)
Bala Athletic, Bangor, Bro Ffestiniog, Bethesda Athletic, Colwyn Bay Athletic, Llangefni Athletic, Menai Bridge, Porthmadog, Pwllheli Athletic
