It is the oldest high school athletic conference in Connecticut,[1] claiming a continuous history that dates back to at least 1930.
Efforts to revive the league gained momentum in 1927, spearheaded by Jimmy Lee, the athletic director at Wilby High School.
Lee envisioned a league that would include schools like Naugatuck, Ansonia, Torrington, Wilby, Crosby, Harding, and New Haven Commercial, competing in football, basketball, baseball, and track.
The current iteration of the NVL was officially established in 1930, marking a significant milestone in Connecticut high school sports.
In February 2021, Sacred Heart High School announced that it would cease operations following the 2020-21 academic year, and thus left the league.
The NVL has upheld a tradition of excellence in high school sports, fostering athleticism and community spirit across the Naugatuck Valley.
As Connecticut’s oldest high school sports league, the NVL remains a cornerstone of interscholastic competition in the state.