There will be eight sides in both the A and B leagues and we'll be up against the likes of Huddersfield, Harrogate and Wharfedale.
Our invitation came about after a chance conversation between 17s fixtures secretary Jon Dewhirst and his opposite number at Huddersfield.
Jon was told about the league and even though we're not in Yorkshire thought it worth having a go. The league secretary checked with teams who played us last year and, as a result, we were both invited and seeded.
That's not surprising with a very talented set of lads who've already won a string of representative honours among them including skipper Tom Dixon [pictured] who was an England triallist. Fellow lock Gareth Eddy did play for England, or course, but he's now at Durham School who need him for their own weekend fixtures.
In the recent past they've struggled to find worthwhile opposition but this new league promises to be the hard test they've needed.
But they should be in good shape after a pre-season where quite a few [including Gareth Eddy] have trained with the first team twice a week and not looked out of place.
Games will be played home and away on Sunday mornings with the league due to be complete by February. Fixtures are due out next week.