SEMLA has published fixtures for the 2020/21 season starting on 3rd October with game day 1 of the Local League competition. Clubs are preparing to start the season whilst still in Phase 4 from the 'Return To Play' roadmap. This means no face-offs and must follow the safety measures published by England Lacrosse.
Some clubs still have Covid related unknowns about the ability to book their usual home fields but have contingency plans identified. Most SEMLA clubs have now restarted summer training, having acquired thermometers and appointed Covid officers to keep everyone safe as we return to play.
We are delighted to welcome a number of new clubs and teams this season.
The Camborne School of Mines join the group of clubs in the South West giving them much needed new competition. Cheltenham and Camden both enter additional teams. Lincoln have joined the Midlands league. A British Army team has entered the Flags knock-out, based out of Aldershot. We welcome back the university teams from Chichester and Norwich, and the reforming of the much missed Cardiff Harlequins into the thriving Local League competition.
The SEMLA Premier division is unchanged from last season. Whilst this was cut short due to Covid, Hampstead's win against Welwyn Warriors back in March sealed their 3rd SEMLA Championship in a row.
The Midlands Local League is starting the season running an 8-a-side competition until December. This allows the 3-way game day format that has been so successful over the past two seasons to be retained while participant numbers are capped at a maximum of 30.
The City of Stoke and Nuneaton clubs are entering two teams into this competition giving a total of 9 teams. Four game days run before December. All are Sundays; 18 Oct, 01, 15 and 29 Nov.
Round 1 of the SEMLA Flags is 5th December with the final scheduled for 24 April in the rugby stadium at the Aldershot Barracks.