HAMPSHIRE Youth Rugby League is setting up a new under-12 competition and would like a side from north Hampshire area to join in the fun.

So far there are three teams signed up, two from Southampton and one from Winchester, but there is also interest from the Havant and Gosport areas.

The competition is to be run by the Southampton Spitfires Rugby League Club.

All fixtures will take place at the same venue, the Spitfires Station Road ground, and will take the form of monthly mini festivals.

The centralised format means the cost base for each club is greatly reduced and the monthly fixtures ensure that the total matchday commitment is no greater than the equivalent of five regional away games.

In the first year, they are looking for eight under-12 teams and at each festival, teams will play three 20 minute games.

Games will be 10-v-10 and formatted to keep the ball in play, with the eight teams split into two divisions, East and West.

The festival results will then go into league tables, and after three festivals there is a cross-divisional play-off festival.

So there will be four festivals in all, which are scheduled for May, June, July and August.

The new league is affiliated to the Rugby Football League and they have the appropriate insurance secured through the RFL to cover any qualified Hampshire Youth Rugby League coach working with youngsters on or off the Southampton venue.

Andy Moore is the founder of the new project and he would be delighted to hear from anyone willing to help launch a team in north Hampshire.

The Southampton club can help provide funding for a coach to attend a Level 1 or Level 2 course if required.

To find out more, see their twitter account @HantsYouthRL or visit hampshireyouthrl.pitchero.com.