The Rugby League Conference (RLC), also known as the Co-operative Rugby League Conference as a result of sponsorship from the Co-operative Group, is a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
It was founded in 1997 as the Southern Conference League with two Divisions: East and Central. Since then, it has expanded and added more and more divisions.
The Harry Jepson trophy was competed for by all the Conference sides. It was awarded to the winner of a play-off match between the winner of the two Divisions. It would continue to be the top prize in the Rugby League Conference until 2005.
The RLC Shield was an optional secondary competition for teams not making the play-offs of the Harry Jepson trophy.
The Welsh Shield was a secondary Welsh competition for teams which did not make the play-offs for the Welsh Division.
The Harry Jepson trophy was competed for only by the RLC Premier divisions. English sides that are in the regional divisions competed for the RLC Regional.
The RLC Shield was competed for by RLC Regional sides that did not make their divisions' play-offs. This was the last year that it was competed for.
The Welsh Shield was competed for by teams which did not make the play-offs for the Welsh Premier. This was the last year that it was competed for.