Delegates at the National League annual meeting agreed a reorganisation plan that will see four main divisions each of eight clubs established after the 2010 season.

It will mean the bottom two teams in what is now a 10-club top men’s division automatically dropping down a level in the new British Water Polo League.

Clubs finishing below the top 32 next season go down into a feeder division in 2011 that will also involve new applicants.

The precise details of how the 2011 programme will be organised – to include play-offs after 2010 – is to be decided after a consultation period during which clubs are invited to comment on the best way forward.