The Caledonia League will be revamped next season with the regional set-up expanding to four divisions.
The existing three-division structure will increase to a 10-team Caledonia Division 1 supported by three eight-team divisions.
Aberdeenshire president Alasdair Farquharson believes the reorganisation of the Caledonia League will allow all clubs to compete at the best level they can.
He said: “The purpose of this is to make the season that little bit more manageable than what we have at present.
“We’re seeing fixtures being abandoned or combined as there are not enough Saturdays left in the season which will end on May 19. Players and spectators are scunnered of rugby by then.
“Asking clubs in Caley 2 North to play 22 league games and then bowl or shield matches on top of that is clearly too much and reducing the number of fixtures in a league season to a more manageable 14 would clearly allow clubs to finish the season on time.”
In addition to the league restructuring, plans are being formed to bring back the Aberdeen and District League Cup. The format will feature four pools of four clubs who play each other home and away with the pool winners going to compete in the semi-finals.
Farquharson said: “This time of year should be for fun rugby like sevens tournaments. Clubs don’t have the appetite for nine-month or 10-month long seasons and in the case of clubs like Aberdeen University and the Medics, this time of year runs straight into university exams.
“This was a popular competition and used to be a fun way to end the season.
“The plan is to play three matches at the beginning of the season and play the remaining three fixtures, semi-finals and final once the league matches have been completed.
“It can be a chance for clubs in the area to get their players up to speed for the new league campains.”
Shire are keen to play a big part as they continue their rebuilding work following the collapse of the partnership with Aberdeen Grammar earlier in the season. The end of the agreed pooling of player resources resulted in Shire withdrawing from National 2.
The club has maintained a presence in club rugby, however, and is second in Caledonia League Division 3 North. After a testing campaign Farquharson is optimistic about the future for the club. He said: “Barney Henderson, a former player who was coaching at Banff last season, has done a very good job with the team and we’re looking to build for the future.
“Our immediate task is to grow the grassroots side of the club. The biggest challenge there is parent involvement but with a big increase in private housing around the club I’m hoping we can capitalise on that.
“We have a rugby beer festival planned for July and, of course, our annual dinner next weekend. There are a lot of things happening at Woodside and we’re all very focused on building the club up again.”
