Heworth ARLFC official Ken Sykes has called on amateur rugby league's governing body to 'get their act together' following the crises that have rocked the non-professional game.

Sykes has also slammed the way the British Amateur Rugby League Association have handled the insurance predicament and said it is time they represented clubs better. He is also angry that 'no-one has taken responsibility for what's happened'.

Sykes told the Evening Press: "I'm extremely disappointed in the way this whole business has been handled.

"I am not speaking for everyone at Heworth but I personally feel BARLA have let us and all other amateur clubs down."

As reported by the Evening Press, the latest crisis, which was due to a massive rise in insurance premiums arranged through BARLA for member clubs, appears to have been averted after clubs agreed to a reduced level of cover at a lower cost.

However, the two rebel leagues, the Yorkshire Junior and Youth Leagues, who quit BARLA after the insurance hikes were revealed have not yet returned to the fold. It is believed they had additional issues with BARLA.

Furthermore, the total insurance cost to each club is still to be confirmed, although BARLA are continuing negotiations with the insurers and the two rebel leagues, and clubs are aware of the minimum and maximum possible prices.

"I agree we now have to move forward but BARLA have got to get their act together," said Sykes, who also referred to the dispute between the National Conference League and BARLA that threatened to hit the sport before the start of the season.

He added: "I do feel quite annoyed about what's happened and the fact nobody seems to be taking responsibility for it.

"We've got a wonderful product and it's a very good standard of rugby for a small cost, especially in the NCL, let alone the other leagues and the juniors.

"We need a body that is going to represent and understand the views of the clubs, and BARLA don't seem to be doing so at the moment."

Sykes - a former professional player with Hunslet, an ex-player with Heworth and now the Villagers' NCL secretary/press officer - added: "I've been involved in the game for nearly 40 years and things aren't that good at the moment. Somebody has to start to get everything in order.

"I think individual clubs have things in order. We've worked very hard over the years to produce something that's good and the governing body need to take that on board."

All games postponed last week as a result of the insurance crisis are to be rearranged for a later date. Games scheduled for this weekend will go ahead.

Updated: 12:21 Thursday, September 12, 2002