Hemel Stags
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| Hemel Stags | |
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| Full name | Hemel Stags Rugby League Club |
| Emblem | Stag |
| Colours | Blue with yellow |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Sport | Rugby league |
| League | National League Three |
| Ground | Pennine Way |
| Official website | www.hemelstags.com |
Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. From 2007, they will play in the Rugby League Conference National league (formerly National League Three).
[edit] History
Hemel Stags were founded in 1981 and as such are major pioneers of rugby league in the south of England. For the first 14 years of existence it was difficult to operate as a rugby league club because of the restrictions placed on rugby union players by the RFU. This meant that union players who wanted to play rugby league risked being banned from playing rugby union for life.
The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League. The dilemma for the club was how to raise standards without the costs of constant trips to the stronger leagues in the North of England.
After several years in the Rugby League Conference they entered the newly formed National League 3 in 2003 and have progressed steadily to become one of the front runners in 2006.
2006 also saw the club enter the Northern Rail Cup, where they met local rivals St Albans Centurions as well as professional outfits London Skolars and Celtic Crusaders. They finished in second place in the 2006 league table and qualified through the play-offs for the Grand Final, where they lost to Bramley Buffaloes by 30 points to 8.
The club also has an active development policy in the town and a number of schools and junior sides supported by the development officer.
Two Hemel players, Jack Howieson and Simon Tillyer, went on to play professionally for the Sheffield Eagles.
