The competition is run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA).

[1][2] Local district leagues in the heartlands of Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Oldham, and Rochdale were merged to create the competition.

In 2012, the RFL reformed the amateur structure of rugby league in Great Britain.

The Pennine League, again, was unaffected decided to remain a winter competition.

[5][6] To date, it is one of the few competitions still to be played in the winter and remains outside the RFL purview, not being listed as one of their community leagues.