Sussex 3 (known as Sussex Oranjeboom Division 3 for sponsorship reasons) is an English level 11 Rugby Union League. It is run by the Sussex Rugby Football Union and was originally for teams predominantly from West Sussex until a division reorganization for the 2016-17 meant that clubs from East Sussex would also take part. Promoted teams move up to Sussex 2 while relegated teams drop down to either Sussex Asahi Division 4 East or Sussex Late Red Division 4 West depending on geography. Sussex Oranjeboom 2 West was introduced in 2010–11 and is the equivalent to former division Sussex 3 which had its last season in 2003–04. It changed to its current name of Sussex Oranjeboom Division 3 in 2016–17.
Original teams
When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:
The original Sussex 3 was a tier 10 league with promotion up to Sussex 1 and there was no relegation down as it was the lowest level of the league system. The division was cancelled at the end of the 1991–92 season.
After an absence of two years, Sussex 3 was reintroduced for the 1994–95 season as a tier 11 league. Promotion was to Sussex 2 and there was no relegation due to Sussex 3 being the lowest level in the league system.
The cancellation of National 5 South at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that Sussex 3 reverted back to being a tier 10 league. Promotion continued to Sussex 2 and there was no relegation. Sussex 3 was cancelled for the second time at the end of the 1999–00 season, with the majority of teams transferred into the new Sussex 2 East or Sussex 2 West (formerly a single Sussex 2 division).
After an absence of two years, Sussex 3 returned for the 2002–03 season, now as a tier 11 league. Promotion was to Sussex 2 and there was no relegation. After just two seasons, Sussex 3 was cancelled for the third time in its history.
Sussex 3 was reintroduced for the 2010–11 season in the form of two regional divisions - Sussex "Asahi" 2 East and Sussex "Oranjeboom" 2 West - both sitting at tier 11 of the league system. Promotion was to Sussex Canterbury Jack Intermediate (renamed back to Sussex 2 for the 2015–16 season onward) and relegation to either Sussex 3 East or Sussex 3 West.
For the 2016–17 season, Sussex 3 was remerged back into a single division at tier 11 of the league system. Promotion was to Sussex 2 and relegation to Sussex 4.
^Sunallon would first rename to Sun Alliance in 1994 and then its current name of Holbrook RFC.[1]
^Despite winning promotion, runners up RMP Chichester would drop out of the Sussex leagues the following season, only to reappear in Sussex 2 for the 1989–90 season.
^The cancellation of Sussex 3 meant that all four teams in the division were to be promoted to Sussex 2 at the end of the season - however, 3rd and 4th place University of Sussex and Arun decided to drop out of the Sussex leagues at the end of the season.
^Six teams in this division would be promoted to Sussex 2 for the next season as Sussex 3 was to be abolished and would not return until 2002–03.
^As Sussex 3 was to be abolished for the following season no teams were promoted. An equivalent division would return in 2010-11 in the form of Asahi 2 East and Oranjeboom 2 West.
^Lewes III would withdraw from the league for the following season.
^There was no relegation as Bishop's Finger 3 East was abolished the following season.
^Both of Uckfield II's titles were for Sussex Asahi 2 East.
2016–17 Sussex Oranjeboom Division 3
England