The Harry Jepson trophy was first contested in 1997 by members of the then Southern Conference.

The winners of the various regional divisions would enter a play-off system culminating in a Grand Final for the trophy.

In 2005, the Conference changed structure with the formation of Premier Divisions for the stronger teams, the Harry Jepson trophy was then competed for by the winners of the Premier divisions with the regional division winners playing-off for the RLC Regional trophy.

In 2012, the national Conference was replaced by locally administered regional leagues but the Harry Jepson trophy continued to be contested by teams in some of these new regional leagues.

The winners of the Scottish Conference League Premier Division, the North East Rugby League Premier Division, the Midlands Rugby League Premier Division, the London & South East Men's League, the West of England, the South Premier and the East Rugby League played-off in a knock-out tournament that ended in a Grand Final.