League brawl setup is determined by Last event league participation points. I would consider myself lucky to be placed against any league of any ranking with any number of players. We all started somewhere. We are all going to the same place. Levels, are obtained by commitment to your game. Just because a league has a higher level players, that does not determine its worth. A lower ranking league, such as Timora in the Wolf Pack, is ranked under top 150, but they have the power as an offencive league, to take down a fortress level 20 with 100 billion defense in it. The way the Leagues are ranks are determined by Achievements from badges, fortress level, and Territory held by beacons. All of which take time to complete.
Stormfall is not a Win it in a minute game, there is no fast track to the top. Most of the leagues here are established, and have been for over 5 years. Thinking that one can change this, is a lack of experience and understanding of the game itself. Brawling is a simple, weekly event to establish who is the best ~ Overall ~ League in that division. The rewards are based differently per division. Lower rewards are given in lower divisions. Higher in the top.
My Suggestion and observation is this, one, you have a great group of players that are active, Enjoy it. New players are always looking for a league to be active and participate in. Your league will grow in time, it took almost a year on server 3 to grow our league to 160 players and now we currently hold 123 players, The Players are constantly changing and shifting to leagues that offer. better leadership and more participation. When one Leadership member goes inactive. so does a league, unless another jumps up to take their place. So keep at it. accept low level players, send recruitments to Players without leagues, no matter what level they are. Help them, Train them, and get them active. A player who is given a chance to excel and learns is a player that will continue to play the game. A player that is Ignored and lacks understanding is a player that will leave the game. So keep them interested.
The Observation from your post is that you have a great group of friends that participate in events. or you would not be matched against such a high positioned league. There is always next week. and be happy you are included. There is plenty of time to grow. Just be willing to grow, by having a chat, facebook group page, and send out mass mails to the league, by creating events for all to participate in. Keep your players engaged and they will bring you more people.
Once more, badges do not happen overnight, But are essential to the game for league rankings. Remember, that not all high ranking leagues are active. many are comfortable, and might have half the players logging in once a week. The real thrill is in the chase, Striving for excellence. and earning badges. Once you've done it all, things tend to get boring, which is why plarium continues to release more content to keep us engaged. Your time will come. Focus on your team, and what you all are doing, and stop focusing on the other leagues and what they are doing.