RON GIRVIN has thrown out a grim warning for Rugby League in the 21st Century.

The highly-respected NorthWest Counties ARL secretary is scathing in his condemnation of apathy in the amateur game.

"I have warned time and again if the open age league shrinks it will have a knock-on effect to youth and junior RL," he said.

"But no one seems to care!"

Girvin, in his annual report, added: "The professional game is talking of expanding all over the country.

"Yet, in our own backyard, it is falling apart."

He accepts the days of the game being taught in schools will never return. "Most of the work for encouraging youngsters will have to come through our clubs," he said.

"That's why I fear for the future if we continue to lose teams at the rate we are."

The league looks set to start the Millennium season with less than 100 teams - for the first time since 1989-90.

At one point in the last season there was a backlog of 286 games - an "administrative nightmare," said Girvin, preparing for his 20th season.

"It concerns me so many games were unfulfilled (119) and that many clubs were unable to keep players.

"I can only hope the slide stops now and we can regroup, ensuring the league has a solid base."

NorthWest Counties began the 1998-99 season with 105 teams, an increase of four, but four fell before a ball was kicked in anger and another two folded during the campaign; already two more are planning amalgamation and another is on the verge of fading away.

There is, however, good news: only 106 players were sent off, compared to 176 in the previous year - although only 801 games were played compared to 1,200.

"It's been a disappointing season," ended Girvin. "A lot of the old NW Counties spirit is missing."

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