Any club wanting to compete in the NCL has to send an application to the league.

In 2011, NCL clubs voted to switch from playing in winter to summer [1] which resulted in a reorganisation of the amateur pyramid.

The current summer competition, the Rugby League Conference, was to be scrapped with its National Division effectively become part of the NCL while most of its regional divisions would continue as they were.

NCL Division Three was the NCLs most geographically diverse division with six out of the ten clubs competing being located outside the north of England.

There was no promotion in the leagues first season, only a top six playoff was played to determine the winners.