The National Development League formerly called the National League was formed in 2009 as the third division of speedway in the United Kingdom, replacing the Conference League. It follows the same rules and regulations as the SGB Premiership and SGB Championship, including the use of rider averages. It is however regarded as the league for junior riders or in some cases other riders returning to the sport.
History There were two previous speedway leagues in Britain sharing the 'National League' name, the main league that operated from 1932 to 1964, and British League Division Two, which was renamed the National League between 1975 and 1990.
The rebranded league started in 2009 and consisted of eleven teams. Over the following years the teams have changed significantly with only four of the original eleven teams still operating in 2023. In recent years, the majority of the clubs that compete are junior sides of teams from the top two divisions.
Rules The rules follow those of the SGB Premiership and SGB Championship with some relaxation of regulations. Riders who hold a non-British FMN licence are not permitted to compete in the National League."SCB Rulebook", SCB, retrieved 2012-03-31
Champions SeasonChampionsSecondRef 2009 Bournemouth Buccaneers Plymouth Devils 2010 Buxton Hitmen Newport Hornets 2011 Scunthorpe/Sheffield Mildenhall Fen Tigers 2012 Mildenhall Fen Tigers Dudley Heathens 2013 Dudley Heathens King's Lynn Young Stars 2014 Cradley Heathens Coventry Storm 2015 Birmingham Brummies Eastbourne Eagles 2016 Birmingham Brummies Eastbourne Eagles 2017 Belle Vue Colts Eastbourne Eagles 2018 Eastbourne Eagles Mildenhall Fen Tigers 2019 Leicester Lion Cubs Kent Kings 2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2021 Mildenhall Fen Tigers Berwick Bullets 2022 Leicester Lion Cubs Mildenhall Fen Tigers 2023 Oxford Chargers Leicester Lion Cubs 2024 Leicester Lion Cubs Belle Vue Colts 2025 Oxford Chargers Edinburgh Monarchs Academy 2026 Edinburgh Monarchs Academy
See also List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions
References