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 2010âÂÂ11 and is the equivalent to former division Sussex 3 which had its last season in 2003âÂÂ04. It changed to its current name of Sussex Oranjeboom Division 3 in 2016âÂÂ17.
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 1991âÂÂ92 season.
After an absence of two years, Sussex 3 was reintroduced for the 1994âÂÂ95 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 1995âÂÂ96 season meant that Sussex 3 reverted 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 1999âÂÂ00 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 2002âÂÂ03 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 2010âÂÂ11 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 2015âÂÂ16 season onward) and relegation to either Sussex 3 East or Sussex 3 West.
For the 2016âÂÂ17 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.