Introduction

The AIB League is the flagship competition for the domestic game and the IRFU's vision is that it will provide top end participation for the best club players and teams in Ireland while also retaining the more traditional community centric 'club ethos.'

A review of the league structures is now underway across all three divisions in consultation with the clubs.

Objective of Review Group

The AIB All Ireland League (referred to as AIB League) will continue to be the Premier Club Game in Irish Rugby.  The objective of AIB League Review group is to make recommendations, if any, for changes to the AIB League that may be implemented in the 2011/12 season.

Terms of Reference

The role of the review group is to oversee the collation of information/data from all our relevant stakeholders and to make recommendations on any changes/modifications to the AIB League. 

These recommendations will then be forwarded to the Domestic Game Committee and, subsequently, to the IRFU Union Committee.
  
In making recommendations the review group is required to take into consideration the following:

i. The role and purpose of the AIB League, as the Premier Club league within Irish Rugby, taking into consideration the perspective of players, clubs and sponsors.

ii.  A League structure which provides a dynamic Premier Club competition, bearing in mind:
- The impact of the recent changes to Division 1
- The resources available to clubs
- The need for retention of a naming sponsor for the League
- The role of professional players in a club league

iii. Opportunity for Clubs to use the competition to further promote their club within the wider community.

iv. Financial cost to the Club and Union of running the AIB League.

Process and timelines

The review group will commence operations in November 2009, and will be required to report to the Domestic Game Committee in August 2010, and the Union Committee thereafter.

The AIB League Review Group will receive  information in a number of different ways:

The Branches will be asked to convene working parties from January 2010 through to March 2010 to engage with Senior and Qualifying Clubs and to seek their views in regards to any changes that may be required to the AIB League. 

As part of the review process, Branches will communicate directly with their Clubs in early January outlining how the Provincial Review Groups will operate.

In addition to the Provincial engagement process (as outlined above) clubs may send written submissions to the AIB League Review Group. 

Written submissions need to be jointly signed by the Club President and Honorary Secretary and should be addressed to:

AIB League Review Group
c/o Scott Walker
IRFU
10-12 Lansdowne Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4. 

All submissions must be received by the 1st March 2010.

AIB League review group will correspond directly with the All Ireland Senior Rugby Clubs Association (AISRCA).

A Coach, Player & Referee survey will be conducted in late Feb 2010. This will be conducted on-line.