Heinz Big Soup has been unveiled as the title sponsors of the 2012 Conference Youth League which kicks off on Sunday March 11.

The Heinz Big Soup Conference Youth League is an Under-18s competition which sits at Tier 3 of the sport’s competition pyramid. This season the league features 18 teams split into East and West Conferences which come together in the title-deciding Grand Final on the last weekend of October.

RFL Director of Participation David Gent said: “I am delighted to welcome Heinz Big Soup on board as title sponsors of the Conference Youth League.

“This competition continues to go from strength to strength and in 2012 features sides from across Yorkshire and the North West as well as North Wales, Gateshead and Hemel Stags.

“The Conference Youth League enjoyed its first summer-based season last year which proved a great success and with this fantastic new partnership in place I’m sure we will raise the bar even higher in 2012.”

Ruth Carberry, Brand Manager- Heinz Soups, said: “We are extremely excited to be named as title sponsor of the Heinz Big Soup Conference Youth League. Sponsoring the youth league provides us with a great opportunity to nurture and support the development of some of the best Rugby League talent at Under-18s level”.

The season kicks off on Sunday March 11 when reigning champions Thatto Heath face a tricky visit to Leigh Miners Rangers in the West Conference. Elsewhere Leigh East host Pilkington Recs, North Wales are at home to Rylands and Saddleworth Rangers entertain Wigan St Judes.

In the East Conference Hemel Stags travel to the North East to play Gateshead, Holderness Vikings host East Leeds and Milford Marlins entertain Keighley Cougars.

For more information about the Heinz Big Soup Conference Youth League visit: www.conferenceyouthleague.co.uk

For more information about Heinz Big Soup visit www.heinz.co.uk

Conference Youth League - East

Dewsbury Celtic
East Leeds
Gateshead
Hemel Hempstead
Holderness Vikings
Hunslet Warriors
Keighley Cougars
Milford Marlins
West Hull

Conference Youth League - West

Folly Lane
Leigh East
Leigh Miners
North Wales
Pilkington Recs
Rylands
Saddleworth Rangers
Thatto Heath
Wigan St Judes