with the new millennium came the new experience of playing national league rugby and the first team competed in national three north for four consecutive seasons before being relegated due to the "cascade" effect in 2003 – which was the previous rfu device for rebalancing leagues on a regional basis. thus the ath found themselves back in midlands one for the 2003/04 season. this proved to be no bad thing as the ath were able to secure a loan from the rfu to enable the extension and refurbishment of the clubhouse. this was completed by the end of the 2004/05 season by which time the club were back in the national leagues having won midlands one at the first attempt. however 6 wins from 26 matches was an inadequate return and for the third season in a row the ath changed leagues back to midlands one.