Seventeen clubs have signed up to compete in the new North Midlands Under-19 Leagues which will be launched next season.
The leagues, one of which will be played on Saturdays and the other on Sundays, have been set up in response to a strong demand for clubs to provide meaningful competitive rugby to help the transition of players from the junior to senior game.
Graham Archer of Hereford has agreed to chair the new leagues with Di Hickinbotham, also of Hereford, acting as league secretary.
Seven clubs – Dudley Kingswinford, Luctonians, Moseley, Stourbridge, Whitchurch, Woodrush and Worcester – will form the Saturday North Midlands Under-19 League.
The remaining clubs – Bredon, Bridgnorth, Bromsgrove, Camp Hill, Hereford, Kidderminster Carolians, Ledbury, Malvern, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton – will play in the Sunday competition.
The overall North Midlands champion will be decided with a play-off on April 2 next year between the top-placed sides in each league.
"We hope that the new competition will be a stepping stone for players to emerge from junior rugby on to senior rugby and play for their clubs," said North Midlands President Steve Guy.
"This is a North Midlands initiative and a positive one which has been set up after consultation with the clubs to help players with this transition."
