The  National Development League (NDL) is a programme that started in 2006-07 season to meet the needs of new and developing women's clubs.  It combines competition and skills development for all senior players, by a skill specific coaching session delivered by NDL coaches, followed by league games.  Each event is hosted by a participating club and all players come together for the coaching session.  They then play 7, 10, 12, 13 or 15-a-side games with their team.  Individual players attending are allocated to a team on the day.  The results from these fixtures are collated and used to produce the National Develoment League table.  There are 6 NDL dates on the calendar for this season.  Attendance at NDL events is free to all participants.

From January of each season, the NDL will be opened up to players born in 1992 (17 year olds), to offer them the opportunity to participate in senior rugby within a controlled environment, supporting them in their transition from girls' rugby to women's rugby for the following season.  Any player wishing to take up this opportunity must have been granted Exception Approval using the following form:

Exception Form 5 - 17 Year Old in Senior Rugby

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