This weekend sees the Czech Rugby League First Division kick off when reigning champions Krupka Dragons host Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels and last year’s runners-up Slavia Hradec Kralove face Chrudim Rabbitohs, who are buoyed by their success in the pre-season Nines last weekend. Each of the four clubs will play each other home and away twice.

 The Second Division has been increased to seven clubs, whilst the U18 Championship, which kicks off in May, will remain with four sides; Krupka Dragons, Slavia Hradec Kralove, Orli Havlickuv Brod and Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels.

 Founding board member and vice president Iain Sellers explained: “We want to create an elite top level competition with strict membership criteria. That includes a certain number of registered players, having qualified coaches and referees, running junior programmes and operating with good governance and financial security. We demand a minimum of five out of the six criteria to be fully met with plans in place to close any gaps.

 ”The Second Division will be run on a tournament basis, with each club hosting one during the year. Those participating are former Czech champions Lokomotiva Beroun and Orli Havlickuv Brod; Mikulov Roosters, Black Angels Hodonin, Slavia Hradec Kralove 'B' and newcomers Jilemnice and Trutnov. The season kicks off in Havlickuv Brod on 15 April.

 Sellers continued: “We are very aware that we need a competitive lower tier competition to allow both existing clubs and those newly formed to play regularly in a formal structure without the burden of having to play every fortnight, which the First Division demands. We are confident that this tournament approach will satisfy that. It should also allow the new clubs to develop organically at their own pace.

 “Every year all Second Division clubs will have the opportunity to apply for elite membership and the Czech Rugby League board will assess each application based upon the criteria agreed.''

 Czech national U18 coach Antonin Berk said: “Last year’s inaugural championship was a massive success for Czech Rugby League and we know that it will be more competitive and played at a higher level as the younger players gain more game time. Youth development is a priority for us and we now have programmes running at most clubs between 6 and 18 years old.

 He added: “We will run U15 full contact games too. In Prague, we now have seven clubs playing touch rugby at U9's and nine clubs playing at U12's. We are developing a gateway to get these kids playing full contact rugby league by U15 so it is going to be a busy year.''