Bradford Bulls Go Head-To-Head

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WELCOME

Welcome to the Inaugural Women’s Super League Grand Final, here at Manchester Regional Arena, as Featherstone Rovers and Bradford Bulls go head-to-head.

2017 Challenge Cup winners Bradford Bulls sealed their place in the Final after finishing top of Super League, and will look to keep up their 100 per cent record this year in the showpiece event.

They will face the remarkable Featherstone Rovers in the Final - the West Yorkshire side won their semi-final at Thatto Heath-St Helens 21-20 in golden-point extra time.

Rovers have been ravaged by injuries in 2017 and had a number of teenagers in action on Sunday, but they overcame the odds to win away from home and make it to their second final of the season - having made it to the Challenge Cup final back in July.

The Women’s Championship Final will also take place from 2pm this afternoon, as fellow West Yorkshire pair Oulton Raidettes and Stanningley go head-to-head.

The local rivals were in the top two of the second tier, with table-topping Stanningley coming into the game as favourites, having impressively overcome Leigh Miners Rangers 60-4 in the semi-final. BRADFORD BULLS PREVIEW

Bradford Bulls Women have enjoyed so we just need to maintain our focus and a remarkable 2017 and go into today’s follow it through, to pick up another piece game with a stunning 100 per cent record of silverware on Saturday.” across all competitions. The Bulls have rejuvenated themselves They come into today’s game looking for following a tough finish to last season, a second major trophy having overcome losing to league rivals Thatto Heath in Featherstone 50-16 in the Challenge Cup the Grand Final. However, they began Final earlier this year. the 2017 season with intent and a strong winning mentality has carried the women “The girls are really up for it,” Head through to their outstanding year. Coach Mark Prescott told bradfordbulls.co.uk. “It’s been an absolutely amazing season really,” Prescott added. “We had our final session last night (Wednesday) and it was really good - “At the start of the season, we just everyone was really focused and full of wanted to consolidate from the end energy and really psyched up for it. of last year and potentially win a bit of silverware. But to do what we have done “We are ready and the main thing that we so far, we’ve got everything crossed for have to do now is keep the lid on it and Saturday to finish it on an even better not let the girls get too excited with it. note.

“I have been telling the girls to disregard “I knew that we were always going to what has gone on with Featherstone this be pushing for silverware and be better year, they are going to be a lot stronger than last season, but if we go all the way on Saturday than they have been in unbeaten - that would be a dream.” previous outings. We are on a great run FEATHERSTONE PREVIEW

Injured Featherstone Rovers star Natalie in the pack and out wide. Momentum Harrowell has lived every emotion for changed a lot during the game, but Rovers this year, despite being out of luckily enough we can out on top in the action since picking up a serious leg end. injury on international duty with England in June. “It was 20-all at full time - our winger went over with about 40 seconds The forward was in attendance at Rovers’ left to level it - I couldn’t look! It was dramatic golden-point extra time semi- unbelievably tense when it went into final win on Sunday, and tells the story of extra time. the game.... “But luckily our captain (Andrea Dobson) “The girls are all mega excited after got the winning drop goal. Sunday’s result! To build from that going into Saturday is an amazing platform and “We were so relieved when the drop goal the girls are all buzzing to be a part of went over! such a huge occasion on Saturday. “It was great to watch the girls celebrate “There were six under 18s playing in - it was really special for Fev after what the semi-final but they all held their own we’ve been through this season.” BULLS CAPTAIN ‘CAN’T WAIT’ FOR HISTORIC WORLD CUP

Bradford Bulls captain Kirsty Moroney “Obviously the squad gets named on admits she ‘can’t wait’ for the historic 2017 Monday and hopefully I’ll be selected to Rugby League World Cup, taking place in take part in my third world cup,” Moroney Australia across November and December. said.

For the first time ever, the Women’s World “It would personally cap off an incredible Cup will run concurrently with the men’s year for me - it’s been amazing to be able to competition, with the Women’s Rugby captain the Bulls to such a successful year.” League World Cup Final played as part of a double-header at Brisbane’s Suncorp The Bulls have enjoyed a stunning 2017 Stadium. - they have won every single one of their games this year - a run which stretches Moroney is a veteran of two World Cups back to their agonising Grand Final defeat and has enjoyed a stellar domestic career, to Thatto Heath-St Helens in October last but, if selected, says reaching the World year. Cup final this year would be one of her career highlights. “It’s been a brilliant year. We’re far more consistent this time around - I think that’s She said: “It’s an amazing opportunity been the key. for the women’s game. It’s been growing rapidly in recent years. “We did well last year, but this season has gone beyond what we ever thought we “If we were lucky enough to be successful, could achieve. it would be right up there with one of my proudest moments as a Rugby League “We’ve got competition for places all over player. the team but we’re a really tight bunch as well. “I’m really excited for the 2017 World Cup,” she added. “We know Fev will give us a real test, but I’m just really looking forward to going “We’ve got a few injuries, but preparation out there with the girls on Saturday and has been really positive.” hopefully finishing off the season in style.”

England’s squad to fly out for the 2017 Women’s Rugby League World Cup will be named on Monday at 10am. WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANNINGLEY V OULTON RAIDETTES

The second of a huge double-header They come into today’s game as today sees the best of the second tier favourites, but will be in for a battle going head-to-head. against Oulton Raidettes, who came second in the league, losing just once in Stanningley have enjoyed a superb the Championship. end to the 2017 season, winning every game in the Women’s Championship The Raidettes edged out Wigan St Pats competition to claim top spot in the 12-10 in Sunday’s semi-final to seal their second tier. place in today’s finale and pushed the dominant Stan side close in a league tie The Leeds outfit won six from six, and last month, losing 28-12 on home turf. stormed into today’s final thanks to a dominant 60-4 home win over Leigh Miners Rangers. COMMUNITY AWARDS 2017

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The Rugby Football League Community The nominees are: Awards are a celebration of the outstanding Jordan Robinson work across all aspects of the Community Craig Fisher Game - including everything from schools Matty Walker and Touch Rugby League, through to the Club game. Coach of the Year Awarded to the coach (Open Age) whose Each year, the ceremony takes place at Old dedication has helped their club and players Trafford ahead of the Betfred Super League to develop and improve - their efforts making Grand Final, with the Community Club of the the game more enjoyable and helping Year and Volunteer of the Year amongst the players to be the best they can be. big awards to be handed out this afternoon. The nominees are: Follow @TheRFL on Twitter to find out all of Ben Whicup today’s winners. Richard Knight Sean McHugh Club of the Year Awarded to the Club which most Match Official of the Year demonstrates a positive and proactive attitude to growing the sport and developing Recognises the Match Official (aged 18 their club. and over) who has shown exceptional performance and commitment in the The nominees are: community game at both Open Age and Cramlington Rockets Junior level. Hindley ARLFC Saddleworth Rangers The winner is: Malcolm Holmes Volunteer of the Year Awarded to the volunteer who, through their Young Match Official of the Year outstanding contribution, ensures the smooth Recognises the young (aged 17 and under) running of a club, and whose efforts make Match Official who has shown exceptional the game of Rugby League more enjoyable performance and/or commitment, with for others. exemplary dedication and effort which singles them out among officials. The nominees are: Kathryn Reed The winner is: Steve Abel Liam Rush Rob Butland Groundsperson of the Year Childrens’ Coach of the Year Awarded to the unsung hero who looks after Awarded to the coach (under 18s and below) the pitch at the club - through their efforts, whose efforts help junior players to develop the players enjoy training and playing on a good behaviour, skills and technique and great surface. who creates an friendly and fun environment in which young players can start and succeed in Rugby League. The nominations are: Girls’ School Team of the Year Terry Turner & Dennis Phillips The outstanding Girls’ school team who George Taylor have stood out in the 2016/17 academic year. This award can recognise year-on-year Sky Try Award improvement. Recognises the Foundation member of staff or club volunteer who has gone the extra The winner is: mile to support and celebrate the Sky Try St John Fisher Year 11 Girls campaign to grow the number of children and young people engaged in Rugby League. Outstanding Contribution to Rugby League An individual who has made a difference to The nominations are: the sport of Rugby League thanks to their James Stephenson outstanding commitment to organising and/ Tommy Gallagher or coaching throughout the course of the Steve Leonard season.

Awarded to: Play Touch Rugby League Licensee of the Ryan Lloyd Year The Play Touch Rugby League Licensee Rugby Football League Order of Merit who has shown commitment and innovation The Rugby Football League Order of to ensure the growth of their PTRL site. Merit is awarded to those who have given This award can recognise year-on-year distinguished and outstanding service to improvement. Community Rugby League for at least 10 years. The nominations are: Darren Fisher Awarded to: Tim Rumford David Lowe Lee Mitchell Jack Strother John Holdsworth Teacher of the Year Jimmy Fallon A teacher who has shown outstanding commitment to organising, coaching and Services to Rugby League playing opportunities for school children, The Rugby Football League services to going the extra mile to develop a culture of Community Rugby League is awarded to Rugby League within their school. a number of people each year who have undertaken a specific service for the sport of The winner is: Rugby League over a number of years. Kat Turner Awarded to: School of the Year Rob Ashton A school that has performed above and Chris Wilson beyond expectations both in on-field success and off-field development of Rugby League participation opportunities.

The winner is: Castleford Academy

Boys’ School Team of the Year The Boys’ school team who have performed above expectations in the 2016/17 academic year. This award can recognise year-on-year improvement.

The winner is: Mirfield Free Grammar Year 9 Boys WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANNINGLEY V OULTON RAIDETTES 2PM KICK OFF

STANNINGLEY SQUAD

OULTON RAIDETTES

12PM KICK OFF

BRADFORD BULLS SQUAD

12PM KICK OFF

FEATHERSTONE SQUAD

The Framework brings together all • Building on success at the the ways that women are involved youngest age groups where in Rugby League – as volunteers, we see very encouraging administrators, coaches, signs - through Sky Try in supporters and most importantly schools and great primary as players. The Framework is the Rugby League in clubs – at basis for a game-wide campaign primary age there are large which builds on the commitment numbers of girls playing the and dedication of club, school and game. We need more of them college volunteers, and will take to stay in the sport, whether the sport to the home World Cup in full-contact or Tag or Touch in 2021. Rugby League.

The Framework includes: • At secondary school age, far fewer girls play but recent • Marketing and promotion years have seen growth in support for clubs wishing to the number and standard grow or start girls’ teams, of the girls’ teams in the aligned to Sport England’s national Champion Schools award-winning, national ‘This competition. Girl Campaign’. • New, single pathway for girls • Working with others sports, to take the female game to in particular team sports, that RLWC2021. New regional hubs have significantly increased and a national hub will provide female participation. a dedicated England coaching environment for talented • Maximising the potential of players. the female fanbase. We know that 42% of ticket buyers to RL • The RLWC2021 will be held events are women – a better in England and the women’s gender ratio than many major tournament will be played sports. This means more alongside the men’s. female decision makers are familiar with and respect the • New advisory groups will help sport. drive the game forward and promoting all the ways that will focus on raising the profile girls and women can get and commercial potential of involved in the sport. the sport. • Extending the successful • A new aspirational competition ‘Reach into Coaching’ project – the Women’s Super League. to help more women involved This is an elite competition in informal coaching, or new at the top of the grassroots to coaching, to gain a Level 1 game. All players are or 2 qualification. And coach community players. Criteria mentoring support for clubs for team entry include the already excelling. need to badge the team with a professional club brand and • A new and informal supportive share some of the marketing network for women involved in and coaching support Rugby League at any level in available at the pro-club. every sort of role. WSL teams are also actively involved in the supporting This is a Framework for everyone and growing the girls’ and committed to growing and women’s pathway. developing the women’s game and campaigning for women’s • Women’s Super League is set Rugby League. There’s never been to help drive up standards of a better time to get involved. play which will put the sport in the right place for England Sarah-Jane Gray Women to win in 2021. It is Development and Public Affairs already lifting the profile of the Director, The Rugby Football sport and will bring this brilliant League opportunity to more partners and sponsors.

• England Rugby League International Lois Forsell is the first-ever Women’s Super League ambassador