JULY 2010 ISSUE 65

THE LEAGUE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE RFL

HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

on the inside…

Lion Gavin’s final roar? Oh brother! All around the world What does the Carnegie mean to you?

16 Heading in the right direction

CONTENTS

5 Media matters

8 New York, New York

9 The power of

10 Saints alive

14 Building for the future

15 Spreading the game

6 Lion Gavin’s 12 Oh 18 rocks final roar? brother! 19 Planning ahead

20 Proving popular

21 Warriors march forward

22 Amazing line up

24 Getting kitted out

26 Getting motivated

30 The youth of today

JULY 2010 ISSUE 65

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE RFL

HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION CARNEGIE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL Saturday 28th August, kick off 2.30pm, Wembley on the inside… * TICKETS £21 - £76. SPECIAL FAMILY TICKET OFFER : £55 & £79 Lion Gavin’s final roar? Oh brother! All around the world 28 All around BOOK NOW, Call 0844 8561113 the world or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk For Hospitality call 0844 856 1114. For Disabled enquiries call 0844 856 1113 or e-mail [email protected] *2 adults & 2 children. Offer on £21 & £31 tickets INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEDIA MATTERS .... with Nick Boothroyd

Welcome to issue 65 of the Rugby League Bulletin .... One of the things which RL we’ve been focusing on IN NUMBERS With summer now in full swing the latest issue of the Rugby League recently in the Community Bulletin is now with us and yet again features some interesting and Game is improving our informative articles on a host of different topics. direct communication with John Ledger has caught up with new coach Steve McNamara after his first game in charge against and finds out what Steve Rugby League supporters has planned ahead of the Four Nations later this year, whilst another via social networking sites exclusive interview sees Neil Barraclough speak with Engage Super such as Facebook .... League referee Phil Bentham and his brother Anthony who has taken the first steps in following his brother into the big time. Other highlights in the magazine include an interview with Great 24,844 Tickets sold in the 2009 Britain Community Lions players Gavin Corfield as he looks ahead to Community Game raffle In the UK alone there are currently 24 the forthcoming tour of South Africa, Mark Ramsdale looks at what a million people on Facebook and 96.4 change in Government could mean for the game and new Rugby per cent of all 13 - 32 year olds have a Facebook account. League General Manager Sash Stosic explains his plans for the game in The official Engage the Principality. Facebook page has been running for a fair Finally, don’t miss an interesting piece on the work that Engage while now and has around 14,000 fans and Super League side St Helens have been doing in their community counting. and see how the recent BARLA tours have gone as Phil Hodgson Clicking “Like” on this page is a great way investigates. for those interested in this elite competition to read previews, reports and stories on their news feed and the page certainly enjoys a lot of discussion and banter between fans of rival clubs. In April we set up the official RFL TOM HOYLE 1,418 Followers on the RFL Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ Editor rugbyfootballleague) to represent the [email protected] Facebook page National Governing Body on the site with the aims of increasing participation in the sport and increasing awareness of Rugby League activity. It’s also proved to be a very useful way of gathering feedback from supporters, after The for example, as well as gauging opinions amongst those interested in the sport. We’ve recently signed up with Sport England to form part of their Community twitter.com/CommunityRL facebook.com/rugbyfootballleague Hub network which they have formed in conjunction with Facebook and a number of other National Governing Bodies. Essentially this will make it much easier Published by the Community Game Services Department of the RFL. 180 More Wheelchair participants for us to reach more people interested in The RFL, The Zone, St Andrews Road, , HD1 6PT. to be recruited by the end of 2012 Rugby League and link more information Tel - 01484 448000 | Fax - 01484 545582, as part of the Community Strategy between all of our active social network Email - [email protected] | Internet - www.rfl.uk.com channels of which we currently have nine networking sites to organise and promote percent higher than in January 2008, with across Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Rugby League activity and Facebook is 5.8 million users. Indeed sports information The idea is for the official RFL Facebook certainly proving to be one of the most is the fourth most popular mobile genre, The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the RFL Board of page to become a central hub for other successful means for us to communicate preceded only by search, social networking Directors. Rugby League sites on Facebook to make directly with people. and news access. it easier to find and receive the exact Talking of “new media” we recently Meanwhile 47 million sport videos were information you’re after. attended a sport and media conference watched in the UK online in January 2010, Contributors - Tom Hoyle, John Ledger, Neil Barraclough, swpix.com, Dave Williams, Nick So, for example if you live in the where we were told that it’s no longer “new an increase of 47 percent in six months, Boothroyd, Phil Hodgson, Alex Ferguson, Gav Wilson, Mark Ramsdale Greg Pennington area and you’re interested in media”, it’s “now media.” whilst worldwide time spent online on playing Masters Rugby League you will be Whilst I’m sure they were very pleased sports sites is up 34 percent year on year able to quickly find the link on this central with this sound bite, the statistics which (Feb vs. Feb). If you are interested in advertising in the Rugby League Bulletin, please contact - hub to direct you to a relevant page with all [email protected] we were given including the Facebook ones This multitude of different ways that the information on. above certainly seem to prove their point in sports fans are now receiving news beyond Main Cover Photograph - Steve McNamara, England squad announcement (swpix) 3 Players on debut for England You could then see what was on offer, highlighting the changes to how people are the more traditional media outlets mean sign up, invite your mates to sign up, talk to © The Rugby League Ltd 2010 v France in the Gillette Fusion accessing information. that it’s important that we stay on our toes other people involved and receive regular We learned that the number of people and utilise all the different communication Designed by - Tom Hoyle International at Leigh updates. accessing sports information on their channels which are available to us. Printed by - Redwood Print Ltd Tel - 01484 711111 There are many benefits of using social mobiles in the UK in January 2010 was 38

- 4 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 5 - Tour schedule Great Britain’s Community Lions are putting v South Africa A Nigel the finishing touches to the planning and Saturday July 24 LION GAVIN’S Kick off 3.00pm preparation of an historic tour to South v South African Universities & Colleges Africa – and for one well-known figure in Pretoria Wednesday July 28 the amateur game, it could prove to be his Kick off 7.00pm final swansong on the international circuit. FINAL ROAR? v South African Rhinos NEIL BARRACLOUGH explains .... Vanderbijlpark Saturday July 31 Kick off 3.00pm

Wigan St Judes centre Gavin Corfield is contemplating retirement in the next 12 months, a decision that could bring to an their players being big and physical, so we’re end an illustrious amateur career. gearing ourselves up for some real battles The 29-year-old is now the most capped and some very tough games. Community Lions player of all time and has “I’ve never been before, but I’m really a string of international honours dating back looking forward to it, especially when I think to the 2001 BARLA U21s tour of America. I’ll be retiring at the end of the season. The Caps at U23 and open age level followed, length of time I’ve played means I probably and for the last five years Corfield has been just need to take a break from things.” an instrumental part of the Community Corfield first joined St Judes as a bright- Lions set up. eyed 10-year-old. Now two decades on “It’s a great honour to represent your and with his career as an electrician to country,” he says. “There’s a lot of people concentrate on, rugby league is potentially in the amateur game, particularly young set to take a back seat in his life. lads – and we’ve got some at St Judes too But not before one special visitor casts – who’ve not signed professional terms at On the attack - Gavin Corfield his eye over Corfield’s farewell appearances 21 or 22 and they think that’s it. in a Community Lions shirt. “I had a couple of chances to go semi-pro, “My dad John is coming over to watch us but I’m now so glad that I didn’t because I’ve in South Africa,” he says. “My mum and dad got the rewards of representing my country everyone is going to get on well together, never miss a St Judes game. They’ve gone and going to places I’d have never seen and that’s a big part of the success of any all over the country following my rugby, but otherwise. It’s the highest you can go in the tour.” they’ve never before managed to come and amateur game and I’ve loved every minute Corfield is quick to agree. “Jimmy is a nice watch me abroad. of it.” bloke, just like Jimmy Aspinwall the tour “This time my dad’s coming and I hope Community Lions coach Jimmy Taylor is manager. They’ve got a good knowledge it’s a great trip for him. He’ll be very proud, I clearly a big admirer of Corfield. “He’s as about the game, and they always get a good know that much.” strong as anything and he’s turned down spirit going within the camp. Jimmy Taylor explains, “We’ve got about professional clubs in the past,” says Taylor. “When you’re away from home there are 30 people going over as part of the squad “He’s still got the power and the pace, sometimes little things that can niggle with if you include the coaches as well as the and he’s hard to stop. But it’s his attitude, you, but Jimmy gets a good spirit and he players. On top of that, there are at least too. He never misses training and nothing is gets a good bunch of lads together. five or six spectators that are coming with too much trouble for him.” “That’s so important when you’re on tour us as well. It should be a fantastic trip and Taylor will take a squad of 22 players to and living with each other for two or three one that we’ll all remember for a very long South Africa on July 21 for a three-game weeks solid. On top of all of that, the way time.” visit that will be known as the “Tom Van the tours are managed and put together The suggestion of lingering memories is a Vollenhoven 75th Anniversary Tour”. is first class and that’s credit to Jimmy ‘The guys you point not lost on Corfield. He says, “I’ve been “We’re playing two district sides and Aspinwall.” to France three times with the Lions, and we then having a Test match against the South Taylor adds, “Jimmy Aspinwall is a go on tour did a trip to in 2008. The friends African national side,” explains Taylor. tremendous manager. I know he’s already and the other players that you meet are the “In the first game, our opponents are puts lots of stuff in place for this trip. We’re with start things that you remember the most. going to be playing in a replica of St Helens’ going on a safari, a riverboat trip and there “I’ve now got close mates from places like Wembley strip from the 1966 Challenge are a couple of barbeques arranged at off as team Hull and Cumbria, and we all keep in Cup Final, while one of the other fixtures different rugby clubs. regularly. We’ll go out together if we’re is being played in front of Tom Van “It all helps to keep the boys relaxed mates, but by playing in the same area, and we always Vollenhoven at the club of which he is now when we’re not training or playing and stops make sure we catch up. president.” them from getting bored.” the end of the “The guys you go on tour with start off Taylor’s playing squad includes The Community Lions last took to the as team mates, but by the end of the trip Andrew Lake from St Albans as well as a field in March, when they narrowly beat trip they’re they’re your friends for life.” representative from the RAF rugby league France at ’ Bigfellas team. Eight new caps are also included, Stadium. your friends For more information on although Taylor is confident he has done his Playing against South African opposition the Community Lions and research. is likely to present different challenges, for life.’ to keep up to date with “I make sure I don’t just pick people on although Corfield is unsure of what to their progress on the tour how they play, I also only pick good lads expect. visit www.therfl.co.uk/ off the field,” he says. “It’s important when “South Africa is the one place I’ve never community you’re away for a couple of weeks that been to,” he says. “I’ve heard a lot about

- 6 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 7 - Sport in the UK is a serious business. It affects lives in so many different ways – from keeping young people off the streets, to promoting health issues. It supports local and regional economies, as well as the overall mood of an area. For years, sports clubs throughout the country have brought people together through friendship and teamwork, and none more so than Rugby League clubs that often work in some of the most challenging areas. It came as no surprise therefore that both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats put support for rugby league at the heart of RFL Chief Executive their election campaigns. Each party Nigel Wood meets Hugh Since its launch in 2008 the community game raffle has proven to be a great produced specific sports manifestos Robertson source of income for both clubs and the Rugby League Foundation. TOM HOYLE and each made note of the importance of the2013 . looks at the plans in place for this years potentially big money earner .... In the run up to the Election, David Cameron and Nick Clegg recorded good luck messages for the Rhinos and their historic appearance in the ; with Nick Clegg spending time at to discuss The power of sport the club’s work in the community. Vince Cable launched the Harlequins’ Foundation in Parliament, and Huw As we all know, the General Election in May didn’t provide Robertson (then shadow, now sports a clear Government. But one thing it did show is the power minister) recorded a video outlining of sport, and rugby league in particular, as an important the importance of sports clubs in communities. and powerful way for political parties to engage with Whilst it would be fair to say the voters. MARK RAMSDALE looks at what the potential Conservatives’ sports manifesto implications of the new coalition government .... contained more detail (it ran to nine pages compared to the Lib Dems’ one), the Liberal Democrats made a series restructuring and reallocating funds community facilities if they can run of more aspirational pledges; after from the National Lottery, including a them better than the state. all, they knew there were going to be Community Sports Fund. It is also quite There are also many issues that challenges ahead and didn’t want to likely that bodies such as UK Sport, have appeared outside the sports commit to spending if the Chancellor Sport England and the Youth Sport manifesto. For example, Regional was forced cut budgets across all Trust will work more closely together Development Agencies – bodies that government departments. after the Olympics as a means to have pumped billions into regions One of the arguments both for and reduce costs. throughout the UK – are to have their against coalition governments is that it The amount of physical activity budgets cut. But we’re told those in necessitates bartering from the parties pupils undertake in school will increase, Yorkshire and the North West will involved. But in the case of sport, the as will its variety. Competition will see a smaller decrease than their sentiment from both is exactly the be reintroduced within and between counterparts elsewhere. same – to increase participation in schools, and schools specialising in These are just some of the areas sports for the good local communities sporting excellence can easily convert that the new Government is working and the nation. Perhaps more than to sports-focused Academies. The on, and the devil of course is in the New York, New York any other issue across the two parties pinnacle will be an annual Olympic- detail. Much depends on the emergency therefore, progress in sport can surely style sports competition between budget, which we are waiting for at be made quickly. schools that will climax with a finals the time of writing, but rugby league Community Rugby League clubs are no of a five night trip to New York – including to raise some funds from the raffle, whilst So now the dust has well and truly session held in the Olympic Stadium. remains fortunate to have supporters different from any other organisation or £1,000 worth of spending money –and a great organisation like the Rugby League business when it comes to money. Running the winner will also be able to choose Foundation will also benefit.” settled, Jeremy Hunt is Secretary Outside school, more will be done in high places. So if the policies to just one team can be a financially draining a community club to be presented with The monies from the £1 ticket sales are of State responsible for Culture, to encourage sports club provision increase sports funding, participation experience so clubs who operate on an even £5,000 worth or kit and equipment! split between the selling organistion (60p) Olympics, Media and Sport, supported and reduce the levels of bureaucracy in schools, in volunteering and the larger scale will almost certainly find it hard “After two successful raffles we really and the RL Foundation (40p), although clubs by the Olympics and Sports Minister that puts people off volunteering. This number of fields available can be work to keep going. thought we should carry it on for a third and leagues who have signed up to the Hugh Robertson. Given that both are includes a review of the vetting and delivered, we can look forward to this Every club is consistently looking at ways year,” said Kelly Barrett, Community Game RFL’s partnership agreements will receive a Conservatives, it is likely that much of barring regime in order to “scale it back upcoming decade of sport and can to raise funds – whether it be a race night or Services Manager. higher 75% back from sales. the policies adopted by the coalition to common sense levels. expect to be stronger come 2020. car boot sale – and for the last two years the “Thanks to Virgin Atlantic and will be from the blue, rather than Playing fields and buildings will community game raffle has proved a great Intercontinental Hotel Group we’ve been way for clubs to raise some cash. able to come up with a fantastic first prize yellow, team. be protected by local people through Prizes over the last couple of years have and I am sure many people will be wanting For further information on the raffle Both parties recognised a need to ‘neighbourhood plans’ and local people Mark Ramsdale is a political consultant included trips to Australia for the NRL Grand the chance to win a trip to New York. or to order tickets please Community reform the current structure of the will be given a new right of first refusal specialising in sports issues and Secretary Final, whilst the 2010 raffle is set to offer “Just like in previous years both the clubs Game Services on 01484 448000 or at sport in the UK. The amount of funding to buy community assets and will be to the Parliamentary Rugby League another fabulous first prize with the offer and leagues who sell the tickets will be able [email protected] available to sport will increase by able to take over the publicy-owned Group. www.markramsdale.com

- 8 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 9 - Since the inception of Super League St Helens have been at the forefront of Community Development across St Helens and Greater Merseyside. The RL Bulletin caught up with Saints Community Foundation to find out more .... SAINTS ALIVE! Helping out - Meli & Fa’asavalu

How did the Saints Community Foundation employs 20 full time and 15 Development Foundation come about? part time Saints Community Coaches.

The club has been working with the local And what do those guys do? community for a number of years on various programmes and educational schemes. We Many are embedded in their schools. This were encouraged by this success to consider means that most full time coaches will work new ways to develop programmes further once a week for a year in the same Primary and make a difference across the borough School working across all age groups. A and beyond. After research and discussion coach will have direct contact with a cluster with fellow clubs and the RFL the answer of five schools and they effectively become was clear – we needed charitable trust “Primary School PE staff”. which would be the face of the club and the game in the community. It was clear Has there been a change in philosophy there would have to be strong partnership that meant a growing need for coaches? between the club with trust essential. When the trust was formed three years ago the The key to the growth came with the trustees could not have envisaged how demand for multi skills coaching, which is SCDF “Community Saints” would grow and a major element of the renowned Saints become central to many local and national Academy training philosophy coupled with government initiatives. the national commitment to give five hours quality physical activity to every child in the So how many people do the Foundation country. The embedded coaches – who are interact with? also, qualified Teaching Assistants – now deliver quality coaching and act as sign Today “Community Saints” is a diverse and posters to community Rugby League clubs successful social enterprise engaging with and gifted and talented programmes. With more than 50,000 participants a year in the help of the Halton and St Helens PCT programmes focusing on sport, health and the coaches have expanded their role to education. offer extended hours specialist programmes focusing on healthy weight management Who works with the Foundation on those and once again lead the way in innovative projects? programmes to meet local priority needs.

St Helens Council, Merseyside Sports What else happens? Partnership, Primary Care Trusts, School Sports Partnerships, Sure Start, Social Community Saints run employment Housing, Connexions, Job Centres and The programmes for budding coaches and Princes’ Trust – to name but a few. gym instructors, a plethora of education initiatives through the Saints Playing for So why is “Community Saints” different? Success Centre for young people and mature The centre of this will be the new stadium students as well as a successful series of facilities which it is envisaged will become a It is at the heart of schools, colleges, Dance camps. community focal point for sport, health and community clubs and community action education. Community Saints now deliver across St Helens and Greater Merseyside. The club is moving into a new stadium 12 different sports in 150 primary and Ten years ago the dream of an active next season – what’s the future for the community settings across Merseyside all Foundation was considered as the plans for Foundation. of which will ensure the beautiful game of a new stadium were filed. At that time three rugby league continues to be taken to new full time and three part time community The work has only just begun. The real audiences as well as reinforcing the old. staff delivered a very good Rugby League; challenge now will be to expand the brand based programme but we could never of Community Saints to make even more of envisaged how big we would become. Now a difference to local people and hopefully To find out more, log on to www. to meet the needs of our community the offer more employment opportunities. saintsrlfc.com/community

- 10 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 11 - Brothers in arms - Phil & Anthony Bentham “I’d also always played tennis, and I Phil Bentham is one of the most gradually stopped playing rugby even though I was still watching it,” says Phil. Despite his now regular appearances recognisable faces in Engage in Engage Super League, Phil only took charge of his first professional game six Super League – but fans could years ago. A game between and Skolars back in February 2004 introduced the official who was to become soon be seeing double. NEIL one of the first batch of full time referees employed by the RFL. “I’d had some experience the year BARRACLOUGH finds out why .... before because I was touch judging in Test Series,” he explains. “I was touch judge for the game in which got sent off after just 11 seconds, but thankfully I was on the other side so it wasn’t me giving the advice to Steve (Ganson)! “Russell Smith was the reserve referee when I did my first game. It was at the , a big, open ground. Russell was bringing me water – and advice – so I remember it well.” After more than a decade of refereeing Rugby League, the RL Bulletin was keen to find out what advice Phil will be giving his younger brother. “You’ve got to be 100 per cent professional about it now,” he says. “The fact that it’s your job means you push yourself even harder. It’s not a hobby anymore. “But the main thing you need is composure. I know games where I’ve struggled, and they’ve generally been games where I’ve lost my composure. “You have a player that annoys you or gets under your skin, and you end up making wrong decisions. You just have to learn to keep calm and remain composed. If you do that well, and you’ve got some rapport Phil Bentham has been followed into codes, but it will come! with the players, then things become much refereeing by his younger brother, Anthony. “Things like man-management of players easier.” And if Anthony progresses as quickly as shouldn’t be too much of a problem, because Anthony has only had a couple of tastes Phil did, the pair could both be controlling hopefully the fact I’m still playing will give of the action so far, but he’s looking forward top-flight games in the not too distant me some grounds to be able to relate to to the future. “It’s been really enjoyable so future. them.” far. I’ve done a couple of U12s games and I Phil says: “Anthony plays . Anthony has already set his sights can’t wait to really get stuck in. He said that once he got to 30 he’d take up on reaching the top flight, despite only “I’m in banking at the moment, just like refereeing, but he wasn’t sure which code to controlling two U12s games at the time of Phil was before he went full time. I’d like to referee. He couldn’t decide whether to stay writing. be able to get away from the banking, at in union or start refereeing league, but I got It must be something in the Bentham least in a full time capacity.” him on to the league course and he’s gone blood, because Phil is happy to admit that Anthony adds, “There’s eight years from there. he was equally determined to reach the between us. If I get through quickly then “If he comes through quickly enough then pinnacle of whistle-blowing. we could overlap, but there’s no rivalry I’ll probably still be refereeing if he makes it “I started back in 1997. I’ve always ‘The fact that it’s your job means between us. We’ll just help each other. Phil to the top level. We could end up clashing. I watched Rugby League since being a young asks for my opinion on games he’s done, think the quickest anyone’s ever done it is lad. I used to go with my friends, and I fell you push yourself even harder. It’s and I’ll certainly be asking for his help and six or seven years from first picking up the into refereeing really. advice whenever he gets chance to watch whistle to controlling a Super League game.” “You always think you can do a better job not a hobby anymore.’ me referee.” Anthony, who lives in Lowton and plays than the referee and I got challenged into it. In the meantime, Phil admits he’s full-back for Leigh RU, is hoping his playing Somebody challenged me to have a go, so targeting a couple of major career goals experience will give him a valuable insight that’s what I did. before he contemplates hanging up the into the demands of refereeing. “I was always very driven about it. The whistle. He says: “I’ve played rugby union for the first day I started I already had in my mind “I’ve still got everything to do in the last 12 years. I’m still playing at the moment what I wanted to achieve and by when. I game,” he says. “I’ve touch-judged, video but I’m 31 now, and I want something I can had a series of goals that I wanted to reach refereed and reserve refereed a Challenge continue doing. Refereeing was the obvious in certain timescales and I tried to tick them Cup Final, but I’ve never actually been out route to go down. off as I progressed. there in the middle. “I’ve always followed Rugby League and “For me personally, it wasn’t a hobby or “It’s the same for the Super League I’ve always been a Leigh fan. A lot of people just something to fill the time at weekends Grand Final, so that’s two major goals for have different opinions on the two codes, – it was something I was taking seriously. I me to work at domestically. If you can but I don’t have a bad word to say about wanted to go as far as I possibly could.” do that, then maybe you get a chance either. Like his younger brother, Phil also played internationally. I’ll just have to keep working “Phil has watched one of my games, and I’ve rugby, having represented Leigh Juniors and hard and see where it gets me.” got to get used to some of the laws. I’m a Golborne Millstone as a nippy scrum-half up bit mixed at the moment between the two until the age of 16. Oh brother!

- 12 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 13 - The RFL recently sent a delegation over to Russia to help with the development of the game. ADAM HOUSTON was one of the ten chosen Super G volunteers who were selected to go and here he tells the Rugby League weekends Bulletin what happened .... form vital part of performance Spreading the game pathway

Action from Russia Building

for the This year’s Super G competition which is one of the first steps on the performance pathway to becoming an England future International will take place After a long day’s travel the group arrived Russian coaches and interpreters for lunch demonstrations on Defence and Offensive on the weekends of July 10 at their accommodation in Rostov-on-Don in at Rostov’s largest shopping mall before plays. and July 24. the early hours of Friday morning and after travelling to Novo-Cherkassk. Here we were The tournament swung into action early England Women will look to build on last year’s a few hours sleep it was straight to work! greeted by the local Priest and taken on a on Thursday morning with 19 teams (150- The development team travelled to guided tour of the area, taking in churches plus children) competing in a group stage successful tour against France when they The Super G event is open to girls School 17 in a suburb of Rostov-on-Don, to and historic landmarks. The area is famous style competition which saw the top three in the under-14 and under-16 age meet and be introduced to interpreters and in Russia as a meeting point of the famous progress to the finals on Friday. travel Down Under for a three match series in groups and selected players will Russian coaches in the 35-degree heat. Cossack Army. The day ran smoothly with no bumps be drawn from Community Rugby An audience – hosted by Vladimir Monday saw us back in the schools and every team thoroughly enjoyed this autumn. ALEX FERGUSON League clubs and schools who have Kushnerchuk, Chairman of the Rostov continuing on from the first day’s activities, participating. The standard of play was competed in the Carnegie Champion Russian Rugby League Federation – opened progressing onto Passing and Play the Ball. excellent considering they had only just looks ahead .... Schools tournament. the tour in front of a crowd of 200 people, In the afternoon we again returned to held a for the first time five days This Super G event is an important including school children, coaches, match Rostov Stadium to watch an Old Boys v earlier. Prior to travelling Down Under, the England I have every confidence that we have the forerunner to girl’s Rugby League officials and PE teachers and all present Students match from Rostov Technical In the afternoon Adam Brown delivered team will face a tough test against France capability to achieve that.” entering into the Service Area listened to a seminar delivered by University. a Match Officials seminar to the potential as the players look to put themselves into The squad is set to include a strong and Regional Player Development Robin Peers. Everything was going great until the Russian MO’s. The seminar was well contention for one of the 25 places for the blend of youth and experience with the pathway from September 2011. In the evening we were invited to an heavens opened and brought with it a received by the Russian delegates who tour of New Zealand which will be finalised likes of Lois Forsel, Clare Robinson and Holly Initially there will be two regional audience with the Director of the Rostov tremendous thunder storm that continued were eager to take part and ask lots of by Head Coach Brenda Dobek at the end of Freestone all set to make their England gatherings – at Thatto Heath ARLFC Technical University with delegates from all evening soaking everyone, although it questions, whilst the evening saw the July. debuts alongside centre Natalie Gilmour, for girls from the North West and the sports ministry and the Rostov Russian did not lower the spirits of the players or group enjoy a few games of and The squad will be looking for a repeat of now in her 12th year on the international London and at mount St Mary School Rugby League Federation. spectators. socialising with the translators. their performance against last France last stage. for players from Yorkshire, Midlands On Saturday we got our first opportunity With the addition of another new school It was an early start again on Friday as year when they host les tricolores on home Lindsey and Michelle Greenwood and the North East. to deliver our Tag rugby sessions in our on Tuesday, our coaching resources became we prepared for the finals, which saw the soil at Lilleshall on Saturday July 10. return to the England team for the first time These Regional events will designated schools, coaching Grip, Carry and sort after across the City and this meant us teams competing in three competitions (the The game will act as important since the 2008 World Cup after rejoining feature a whole day of skills and Tag. In total seven schools took part and having to pull together and agree to work Plate, the Bowl and the Cup). preparation for England prior to the tour the Talent Development Squad earlier this tactical development with a playing around 350 children were introduced to tag alone in some schools. The games were played at a fast pace, where they will face Select year and will rejoin the squad for three opportunity to finish. Rugby League. This was a great feeling as it showed which was aided by some great officiating Provincial Side before playing two Test sessions before going into camp ready for Following on from this the coaches We were then invited to watch a regional that more teachers and pupils where from Adam Brown, James Carter and Lee matches against the current World Cup the Test match against the French Women in each Region will select squads to Rugby League 7s tournament, consisting interested in learning our sport. Carbutt. It was clear to see the youngsters Champions New Zealand in Auckland. on Saturday July 10. go forward to a National Day on July of six teams. During the tournament Match The first coaching seminar was delivered had listened in their coaching sessions and Brenda Dobek said: “The game against 24. officials Adam Brown and Gareth Bacon by Robin Peers in the afternoon to Russian there were some outstanding skills on show. France gives the players the opportunity to England squad to face France at Lilleshall Again at this National Day there officiated. Sunday morning we returned to Coaches, and Players. The Plate competition was eventually put themselves into the reckoning for the National Sports Centre on Saturday will be more opportunities for the the Rostov Stadium to assist in the running Robin explained the key coaching won by School 65 (coached by Steven Beaty tour of New Zealand later on this year. July 10 is - Lindsey Anfield, Michelle girls to receive quality coaching and of a women’s Rugby League 7s tournament. techniques of Rugby League, such as and Clair Mullaney), the Bowl by School 17 “There are a number of new faces in Greenwood, Jo Watmore, Jodie Cunningham, the day will culminate in another The standard of play on both days was passing, markers, defence and play the ball. (Adam Walsh and Jake Cotterall) and Cup by the squad and returning players, so the Dani Titterington, Gemma Walsh, Kirsty playing opportunity. very high and with the benefit of the Wednesday brought about the final days School 76 who were looked after by coaches balance of youth and experience is really Moroney, Emma Slowe, Lois Forsel, To conclude the process a coaching seminars later in the week the preparation with most schools spending Gareth Bacon and Nimai Parma. encouraging looking ahead to a big year of Amanda Donaldson, Clare Robinson, Beth hypothetical all-star team will be teams saw a vast improvement in their time playing games and getting their It was an excellent day which ended international Rugby League. Sutcliffe, Natalie Gilmour, Izzy Howard, selected at each age group. performances, particularly around the players used to game situations. with the prize giving and a few large group “We will be looking to build on the two- Holly Freestone, Rachael Twibil, Dani Bose, marker and ruck defence. Robin then delivered the final coaching photos and lots of happy children! match series win over France last year and Hannah Bairstow The group where then taken by the seminar in the afternoon, focusing his

- 14 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 15 - JOHN LEDGER and ALEX FERGUSON catch up with England “We are about to embark coach Steve McNamara after his first game in charge .... on an exciting journey culminating in the 2013 “We’re going in the right direction.” “It’s a progression, a start and something heading into the Four Nations campaign That was the confident message from we’ve been looking forward to for a while later on this year. ,” new national coach Steve McNamara after as well.” “We can argue all day if it’s right or England defeated France 60-6 in the Gillette McNamara made a bold statement for his wrong or intense enough, but the week and Fusion International at first match by flying in three players from the game itself has served a whole lot of on Saturday June 12. the other side of the world with Burgess purposes for us,” he said. As emphatic as the victory was, and Ellis being joined by , the “We spent some time together, showed McNamara was at pains to make sure no-one young Storm full-back who is some very good combinations and scored is getting carried away as his new-look side understudy to , the world’s best some super tries. There were some poor turn their thoughts to the Four Nations player. things in there as well, so it was a nice mix Down Under in the autumn. Widdop acquitted himself well on for us.” Having worked as assistant to his his debut, scoring a try with his first Despite the criticism from certain predecessor Tony Smith during England’s touch of the ball, while Burgess and Ellis quarters, McNamara benefited from seeing ill-fated World Cup campaign in 2008, demonstrated how important they are to the likes of Kevin Brown, Widdop and Joel McNamara knows all too well the pitfalls the future of the international game. Tomkins burst onto the international scene of believing the hyperbole that inevitably “We are about to embark on an exciting and the competition can only benefit the emanates at the first whiff of international journey culminating in the 2013 Rugby new England coach. success. League World Cup,” said McNamara. “Both “You look at , Kevin Brown England – and before them Great Britain Sam and Gareth (Ellis) were instrumental and Gareth Widdop we’ve got some exciting – have waited a long time to break the in the progress we made during last year’s players involved. Then you look up in the southern hemisphere’s domination and the Gillette Four Nations and have key roles to stands and we’ve got some great talent like timing of his first match as national coach play in building on that momentum. and Danny McGuire watching was not lost on McNamara, coming as it did “Without any disrespect to France, we on through injury,” he said. 40 years to the day since the Ashes triumph could have won the game without bringing “I think Gareth Widdop took the spotlight of 1970. those players across, but it’s important to in terms of the debut boys and it was a Many of the players who were involved in get together as a group and spending some great start to his international career. Great Britain’s last ever series triumph Down time together. It was a bigger picture than “The competition for places is now Under went on to forge successful careers just the game” starting to get more intense and I think the with Australian clubs, a scenario that had The manner of the 11-try victory made talent is there to be seen. You could see striking resonance with the Class of 2010. for a stark contrast to last year’s Gillette that potential against France.” With and , two Four Nations when Les Tricolores came Next up for the England coach is the players recognised as among the best within 20 minutes of a memorable victory. fund-raising match against Cumbria on forwards in the NRL, in their ranks, England However with 10 players from that side October 2 then a trip to the Southern looked the part, albeit against weakened missing, Bobbie Goulding’s team were Hemisphere and McNamara is all too aware opposition, and McNamara was quick to always facing a monumental task. of that quality preparation will be needed acknowledge that improvements will be There is an ongoing debate over the if this country is to be a major force on the required later this year. value of the mid-season Test and the international stage. “It was a performance that we were very merits of playing a French side featuring A warm-up fixture in Auckland against pleased with. We executed some things some players with little or no Super as yet unnamed opponents followed by very well, but there are things to work on as League experience, but McNamara is not matches against New Zealand, Australia well,” said McNamara. underestimating the role it has played and Papua New Guinea will present a more exhaustive test of the progress England have made since their last visit Down Under, as McNamara is all too aware. “We want to get down there and do ourselves and our country proud,” said McNamara. “It’s a much tougher proposition but as players and coaches these are the matches you want to be involved in from the day you first pick up a ball. “All the boys who aren’t involved in the will benefit from the run up in Whitehaven, which is for a very worthy cause. “The trial game when we get out there is going to be a big one for us. We wouldn’t want to go into a Four Nations cold. “We want to get out there in the conditions we’ll be playing in during the Four Nations with a full complement of Heading in the players. That will enable us to iron out any problems before the Four Nations kicks off. “The players who were involved against France have put down a marker for selection for the Four Nations but there are no guarantees. “There is a lot of Rugby League to be played between now and the end of the right direction On debut - Gareth Widdup season and a lot of hard work still to be done.”

- 16 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 17 - Wales Rugby “ is in its infancy, but the League has a potential is far greater than probably anything that new man at exists elsewhere.” the helm. NEIL BARRACLOUGH caught up with Sash Stosic two months into his master plan ....

Sash Stosic doesn’t hide his ambition for rugby league in Wales. “Our first goal is simple and immediate,” he says. “If we win this year’s European Nations Cup then we qualify for the 2011 Four Nations Blackpool - last years winners competition. “If we do that, then we’ll work off the back of that achievement and continue to progress towards the World Cup in 2013. “The overall aim for is to use the World Cup in a similar way that the English government are doing with the London Olympics. We want to use the World Cup as a legacy going forward that will BLACKPOOL ROCKS continue to help us build momentum with rugby league in Wales.” Stosic, 30, has only been in the job for two After 86 games of action-packed Rugby League, The Northern Rail Cup will months. But the new WRL general manager come to a thrilling conclusion at Blackpool s on 18 July has quickly discovered a melting pot of ’ potential talent and growth across the rugby- when face in the final. ALEX FERGUSON mad nation. “Rugby league in Wales is in its infancy, looks ahead to a big weekend on the coast .... but the potential is far greater than probably anything that exists elsewhere. Here the national governing body is able to work on For the second consecutive year, the seaside million visitors a year and is home to more The format for the Northern Rail 9s is as a community level, as well as working in resort will host both the Northern Rail than 40 fascinating displays close encounters follows - partnership with the professional clubs and Cup Final and the Northern Rail 9s on the with marvels of marine life and the display - Two nine-minute halves operating on an international level. Not all weekend of July 17-18. with the UK’s only collection of poisonous - Four substitutes interchanged as governing bodies, particularly those back Planning The Northern Rail Cup has grown in sea snakes. often as required home, work on that basis.” prominence in the last few years and But of course you can’t see and do - In the event of a penalty, a tap is Ah, home. Bridgend is Stosic’s base, has established itself as one of the most everything in a day, which is why Blackpool taken 10 metres in advance of working out of offices that are shared with prestigious events of the year for the Co- offers a wealth of accommodation for where the infringement took place the staff of the Scorpions - but operative Championship and Championship everyone - from four star luxury to homely - Try conversions take the form of New Zealand is where he comes from. One clubs. B&Bs, plus flats, apartments and caravans - unchallenged drop kicks “There are a ton of reasons why I ended up Not only does the competition provide to suit all budgets. In Blackpool you can enjoy - Referee can suspend a player for here,” he says. “I came for seven weeks last ahead teams from both divisions a great chance the “short break” by the sea. five minutes for misconduct year, travelling around the UK and Europe of silverware, but with a Super League It promises to be a weekend no Rugby with my sister. While I was on that trip I met licence at stake for aspiring Co-operative League fan would want to miss and will The Northern Rail 9s promises to follow my 80-year-old grandmother in Macedonia But the former Jersey up in north Wales.” Championship clubs, the competition has climax with the Northern Rail Cup Final - an last year’s success with free flowing for the first time in my life. Flegg player has already been stunned by the Underpinning all this work is Stosic’s never had so much riding on it. intense 80 minutes of non-stop action by entertainment for all the family “I wanted to get know her some more locals’ receptiveness to league. desire to see Wales Rugby League flourish, Last year, a crowd of nearly 9,000 packed the sea. while I still could, and my brother James was “The community work going on in the with Welsh-born players providing a the terraces at Bloomfield Road to see also playing for Wildcats. I decided schools has increased by 300 per cent,” he consistent stream of fresh talent. Widnes Vikings secure their second Northern to come over for good, but just as I got that says. “It’s huge growth into an untapped “The single most valuable thing to all of Rail Cup Final triumph in three years seeing Northern Rail 9s sorted, we found out James had to go back resource and we’re finding that the this is the importance of having Welsh-born off Barrow Raiders 34-18. The Northern Rail 9s returns to Blackpool for home after having some visa issues.” community really, really want to play rugby players,” he says. Aside from the Rugby League supporters its second year at Fylde RUFC on Saturday He continues: “I think I’d achieved a lot in league. We’re not having to force them “What we’re doing with the scholarship visiting Blackpool for the weekend will 17 July, the day before the Northern Rail Cup my previous role at Taranaki, and I needed – they’re screaming out for it.” and academy programmes for U16 and U18 also have the opportunity to sample what Final. a new challenge. The UK could offer that New developments are popping up with players are all stepping stones to the South Britain’s most popular tourist destination has Each of the 18 Co-operative Championship challenge. There was an opportunity to staggering frequency. A part-time match Wales Scorpions and Crusaders. to offer. and Championship One not involved in travel, explore my Macedonian heritage and officials development officer has recently “As a club, the Scorpions have only got Whether you’re looking for an adrenalin the Northern Rail Cup Final will return to while I was in London looking for work, the been put into place, while this year the open one player who’s not of Welsh heritage, and rush on the Pepsi Max Big One, the tallest Blackpool to take part in the innovative job in Wales came at the right time. age competition has been split into two tiers that says a lot. As we progress, we’re going rollercoaster in the world or a more peaceful event. “The job is everything I thought it would for the first time, with clubs in the Merit to have a bigger pool of Welsh players at a tram ride along the 12 miles of Promenade, The clubs will be hoping to follow in the be, and probably a little bit better.” League playing for a place in the newly- higher level and that’s crucial to improving Blackpool has a whole host of attractions to footsteps of last year’s winners Blackpool Eight weeks in to his new role, Stosic is formed Premier League. the national side and our world ranking.” coincide with the on-field action. Panthers who overcame Co-operative reluctant to put precise figures on what he “Ideally we want a national Premier He adds� “Anything that I put in place for At the heart of Blackpool’s famous Golden Championship opposition to beat Sheffield has found and where he sees Wales Rugby League, including clubs from west Wales and this organisation, I want it to be as Welsh as Mile is the sea life centre which attracts six Eagles 14-10 in the final. League developing. north Wales. We’re already creating interest possible. That will be my guiding belief.”

- 18 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 19 - The first two tournaments have been a massive success with more than 100 players taking part in both Huddersfield and Castleford and many teams already confirmed for the seven remaining tournaments across the Yorkshire and Humber region. These opening tournaments have raised great interest amongst the Rugby League Community, but have also opened up the game to a wide range of new players who have not previously experienced playing the sport. The mix of teams and players has led to a great atmosphere at each of the tournaments, which has meant that all the teams that have taken part are already chomping at the bit to get their names down for the upcoming tournaments. Martin Burgess, a player at both of the tournaments so far, enthused: “Myself and the team have thoroughly enjoyed the Series so far and already decided to put our names down for all the remaining festivals. “Every week we seem to get new players through, people who have played telling their friends and family about how much fun they’re having and it seems that once you take part, you catch the Tag Rugby bug!!” Warriors march forwards The Tag Series will be running throughout the summer, with seven tournaments still remaining, and will take place at a range of venues, including both Amateur and Professional Rugby League PHIL HODGSON looks at a club in the south west who have Clubs. RFL League for All Officer Tom Allen made great strides forward .... explained: “The Tag Rugby League Series has been organised to give as many people “We’re already looking ahead to next a warm welcome. Harold Williams, the we saw, are relishing our involvement in as possible across Yorkshire the opportunity season.” Chairman of the Barbarians, is also Chairman Rugby League.” to participate in Rugby League. That was the message from Head Coach of the Warriors and Samways himself is PRO Crowds are healthy, with 40 or so “The first two tournaments have lived Ritchie Metcalfe to his players following of the Union club and brings those skills, and already turning up for games (more, up to everything I had hoped, with all South Somerset Warriors’ 34-22 reverse at his contacts, to bear in the cause of Rugby admits Samways, than usually watch the the players having a great time and the the beginning of June at the hands of South League. Barbarians) and both the League and Union atmosphere meaning that everyone had Dorset Giants. He said, “We are a mix of Rugby League clubs benefit from the relationship. such a good experience that they will keep Proving Defeat was hard to take in that game ex-Pats and locals who have bought into Ivel Barbarians’ clubhouse is open coming back for more and bring others with after the sides had been locked at 22-22 the game. Ritchie Metcalfe hails from the throughout the year now and the players them. as the game headed into the final quarter. north of England and has strong League of each team can only improve through “Seeing so many new faces at the And some may say that Dame Fortune is not connections, and assistant coach Lee exposure to the two codes. League offers festivals shows that word is spreading and looking entirely favourably on the fledgling Jones comes from Whitehaven, where he positive advantages in defence, says will hopefully continue to do so. outfit, which is in its first year, after a 17-16 played alongside Garry Purdham - who Samways, simply through the fact that “I’d encourage anyone who has been setback seven days earlier against the same was amongst those tragically killed by the forwards and backs must work together, thinking about giving it a go to please popular side, who prevailed through a late drop goal. deranged gunman Derrick Bird - for, I think, rather than as separate units. come along to the next tournament and I’m But there’s much to be said for mixed Egremont. Players are now seeking more league positive you will enjoy the game so much With the summer now in full swing the new Tag luck as a means of ensuring a solid bedrock “There are quite a few lads serving in the action and South Somerset Warriors now you’ll be sold!” to any new organisation and the Warriors Navy in the county, including several at 40 have 32 lads, including the Barbarians’ Head Rugby League Series has already proved an are certainly heartened by a number of Commando near Taunton, whose first game Coach, on their books. One is a player from extremely popular initiative. NICK BOOTHROYD impressive displays, including a 64-26 is Rugby League, and such as the Vikings Leeds who Samways used to captain at the victory over Somerset Vikings in their and ourselves are happy to accommodate Barbarians, a lad who jumped at the chance looks at the action so far .... inaugural game, in the middle of May. them. to play Rugby League again. That match made history as the first “Those of us who are new to the game “The way we look at it is that it’s a Rugby League “derby” between teams in the – including myself – who would watch the chance to get fit and meet new people,” Tag Rugby League is suitable for If you require any further information or county, and the Warriors’ progress has been sport on Sky TV and invariably enjoy what says Samways. “It’s much better than sitting anyone to play regardless of age, size and would like to enter a team please contact solid and sustained. on the settee during the summer watching experience and tackles are made by pulling RFL League for All officer Tom Allen on PRO Chris Samways said, “Ritchie tv and drinking beer. off a Velcro tag which is incorporated into 07515 753928 or via [email protected] Metcalfe sat the players down on the pitch “Things have started well, although we’re specially-designed shorts that have been after that latest defeat by the Giants and looking for sponsors. Currently the Warriors introduced for 2010. There is also a specific facebook group told them how proud he was of them. He are self-funding and the players fork out Teams can play in as many - or as few - Tag Rugby League Series - which will be also said that he had every intention of £55 for a pair of shorts and socks to keep, - tournaments as they like throughout the regularly updated to include all the latest continuing next season and, to a man, the plus a shirt and insurance. For that, Series and will be awarded points based on news about the festivals. lads said “so do I.” That was very heartening they also get temporary membership of the their match results. Teams will compete for and I’m sure we’ll be around for a long time.” club, and a 10 per cent discount at the bar. the ‘2010 Tag Rugby League Series’ title by For full details on how to get involved in Rugby Samways revealed that South Somerset The alternative is that they pay £10 a time League as a player, match official, coach or accumulating points based on their finishing Warriors were born late last year after a as a match fee.” volunteer visit www.tryit.co.uk position in each tournament. couple of lads based at a nearby RNAS base With nine or 10 teams in existence in the Each player pays £10 for registration suggested that a Rugby League team could South West, and many of them of similar which includes entry into all tournaments, play at Ivel Barbarians Rugby Union club. ability, the future of Rugby League seems personal insurance and a pair of Tag Shorts An approach was made to the Barbarians’ Richie Metcalfe - right to be assured in Somerset, Devon, Dorset & Tags. committee and the initiative met with and Cornwall.

- 20 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 21 - Amazing line-up confirmed for Carnegie Floodlit 9s The Carnegie Floodlit 9s at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds on Wednes- day 25 August will see the finest line-up of 9s Rugby talent since the World 9s in Australia in 1998. NICK BOOTHROYD explains ....

The mouth-watering line-up includes eight The tradition of the Northern Rail 9s A family of 4 (two adults and two children) Engage Super League teams: Castleford winners qualifying for the Leeds event can pre-purchase a ticket for just £20, a 50 Tigers, Hull FC, , will continue and their performance will be per cent saving of £20. With the same offer Bulls, St Helens, Warriors, Leeds eagerly anticipated after Blackpool’s fine a family of three [two Adults and one child] Rhinos and Wildcats display last year. save £15 while two adults on their own alongside the winners of the Northern Rail Twelve sides in total, all vying for the would save £10. 9s and international sides from Jamaica, £10,000 first prize, will be pooled into four Event director Neal Coupland said: “We Wales and . groups of three, in the draw for the group want to encourage as many families as Hull FC will defend the trophy they stages. possible to come to the Carnegie Floodlit 9s. won so stylishly in 2009 and will face stiff Rugby 9s is becoming ever popular “The pre-purchase offer is great value, in competition from last year’s finalists, Leeds. and this exciting brand of Rugby League total Nines Night will see an increase to 15 High flying Warrington are becoming 9s received the full backing of the Super games this year plus the sprint. Each team specialists and will take their place as the All League clubs at their recent meeting. will be guaranteed two games, therefore Golds Cup winners at the Spring Cheltenham David Gent, the RFL’s Director of supporters will see more of their favourite Rugby Festival. Participation and Strategic Partnerships, teams.” giants St Helens and Wigan is delighted with the response of both the will make their debut in the event, as will Engage Super League and Co-operative and Castleford from the Championship clubs: Fans wishing to make an advance purchase White Rose county. Wakefield will complete “The whole sport of Rugby League is can do so via the Headingley Box Office or the Super League entries and will seek to enthusiastically backing 9s as the way to through the box office at participating clubs build on their 9s progress made in recent develop the game on a wider stage,” he said. from 22 June. years. “We are sure this year’s Carnegie The international flavour of the Floodlit 9s will again be a great spectacle The latest information about the Carnegie tournament will continue with the ever- for fans and players alike and we are fully Floodlit 9s can be found on www.floodlit9s. popular Jamaica team returning for the supportive.” com second time and European champions Fans wishing to make advance purchase Wales under the tutelage of Iestyn Harris are being offered some fabulous savings on Previous winners: also making their bow. The sport continues normal entry prices. Hull FC 2009 to make great strides in Scotland and the Turnstile prices have been set at £15 for (Craig Hall Player of the Tournament) profile will be further increased with their adults and £5 for children and concessions 2008 appearance in the Floodlit 9s. for the summer evening spectacular. ( Player of the Tournament)

- 22 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk Papua New Guinea Rugby which Papua New Guinea’s Kumuls will take As the Rugby League Bulletin went to on Australia, England and World Champions press the campaign was going extremely League international New Zealand. well with kits being donated from France, Menzie’s campaign has already attracted Jersey and Australia, however donations of Menzie Yere wants some high profile supporters, including more boots would be welcome. community Rugby League Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. The campaign has also recently received Mr Clegg said, “The Kits For Kumuls support from Prime Minister David Cameron. clubs to back his new charity is a wonderful initiative and one that I am delighted to lend my support to. ‘Kits For Kumuls’ charity “The donation of rugby boots and shirts Clubs and individuals can pledge their by collecting used boots, to the island will no doubt encourage future support and find out where to send generations to participate in the sport whilst kit donations by logging on to www. rugby kit and replica ensuring that Rugby League is accessible to kits4kumuls.com. Monetary donations shirts. NICK BOOTHROYD everyone, irrespective of their background. to cover the costs of shipping are also “Sport is at its best when it unites and welcome. finds out all about it .... benefits communities and this project will certainly help to do that.” Kits For Kumuls is supported by The RFL, Kits For Kumuls is a not for profit the Papua New Guinea HighCommission campaign and neither Sheffield Eagles in London, Sheffield Eagles and Hanlon & Menzie Yere, the Sheffield Eagles centre, nor Menzie Yere will take a penny from Wright. has set up the charity to send used rugby kit donations. to impoverished players in his home country of Papua New Guinea – the only country in the world that classes Rugby League as its . Menzie Yere said, “In Papua New Guinea Menzie Yere - centre of attention the people love Rugby League, but it is very hard to get boots and kit. Many people live in rural areas and have very little money. Some youngsters do not have shoes, let alone rugby boots. “When I started playing in England last year I decided to use some of my pay to buy new boots and send them back to my village. I bought a new pair every few weeks. At the end of the season, I collected used rugby kit from other players at the Eagles and took those back with me to give to youngsters. “This year, with the help of Sheffield Eagles, I have decided to launch The Menzie Yere Foundation and the “Kits For Kumuls” campaign to collect donations of used kit from Rugby League clubs, fans and players all over the UK to send to Papua New Guinea. I would like to ask everyone to give what they can to help my countrymen and women.” The Papua New Guinea international got the idea for the “Kits For Kumuls” campaign during his first season in England last year. Every two weeks the Sheffield Eagles fans’ favourite would buy two new pair of football boots and send them back to his home village in PNG. By the end of the season, he’d collected enough used kit from teammates to more than fill his luggage allocation on the long flight home. Now, with a little help from Sheffield Eagles and the Rugby League family, he’s decided to turn his idea into a full-blown charity campaign – and he wants community clubs and League fans to rummage around in their wardrobes and kit bags to find items they can donate. Community clubs, fans and even individual players can send donations of used boots, shirts and equipment to the Sheffield Eagles office at Don Valley Getting Stadium. They will then be loaded into a container and shipped out to Papua New Guinea before being distributed to needy players throughout the country. kitted out It is hoped the first container load of donations will arrive in PNG in time for the 2010 Gillette Four Nations Tournament, in

- 24 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk “Our aim is to get set up at every health organisation in England in a quest for a fitter, happier and healthier staff group. “By promoting this sport, we can encourage other trusts to implement health and wellbeing into their lifestyles.” Already, Heart of England have encouraged other health organisations across the country to set up their own Touch Rugby League including NHS Trusts in Wigan, , Warwick and future potentials in Leeds and Sheffield. Their aim is for each of the 152 PCT communities to have their own regional touch rugby league by 2011 and by 2012 they hope to have a national competition which will link in with the London 2012 Olympics. Ian Cunliffe, Medical Director said, “Rugby League has always been a passion of mine, so setting up a tournament in this way and sharing the experience has been fantastic. “In a Trust of over 10.000 staff, it’s always going to be difficult to know anyone other than those you immediately work with, but with each league night we all got to know a few more. “This project will help to bring staff together, to work across professional boundaries and develop a community feeling within the hospital “ “Our aim is to get Touch Happy times - NHS staff Rugby set up at every health organisation in England in a quest for a fi tter, happier and healthier staff group. Getting motivated “I look forward with excitement to the prospect of a national NHS Touch Rugby Research carried out by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust has League Final.” Medical advice says that adults should revealed that employees that took part in their Touch Rugby League try to take part in at least 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity at least competition benefited from a huge increase in personal and workplace five days a week. Touch Rugby can improve cardiovascular motivation. NICK BOOTHROYD finds out how .... fitness, physical stamina and agility and is a powerful trainer for the upper and Heart of England, in the Touch Rugby League 50 per cent lifestyles which can ultimately affect lower body and can also aid in muscle which is one of the of players increased their motivation at patient care. development. busiest NHS Trusts work and 83 per cent of players increased Richa Gautam, Project Manager for the in the UK, and their working relationships with their team NHS Sport and Physical Activity programme encompasses four members. and the Touch Rugby League at Heart of Touch Rugby League is one the fastest sites based in and 60 per cent of participants increased England said, “Following the success of our growing areas of the sport and is suitable around Birmingham, started a Touch Rugby their motivation in their personal life, 75 per 2008 Touch Rugby League, we were given for anyone to play regardless of ability or League in 2008 with support from the RFL cent of players increased their motivation the opportunity to present the project to experience, for more information on how and local Rugby League Conference side to get fit and most importantly of all 95 per the then Secretary of State for health, Alan you can get involved visit www.tryit.co.uk Birmingham Bulldogs. cent of players enjoyed being a part of the Johnson. The successful initiative involved around NHS Touch Rugby League. “Alan endorsed the project and 200 participants and enabled the Trust to As a direct result of the Trust’s Touch encouraged us to get other healthcare promote work-life balance, exercise and Rugby initiative with the RFL, Heart of establishments involved which has inspired health advice in line with the health and England have now established a national us to take our project to a national level. well-being agenda with the NHS and most programme called NHS Sport and Physical “The project team is confident that the importantly encouraged staff to socialise Activity which, based on the touch rugby initiative provides good value for money and and enjoy themselves. model used in Birmingham, will look at ways that the benefits exceed the investment After the overwhelming success of the to entice NHS staff back into fitness. put into the programme. inaugural competition the 2009 Touch Working with the governing bodies, NHS “We are proud of what the Trust has Rugby League saw 400 players take part Sport and Physical Activity will look at ways achieved so far with Touch Rugby alone and questionnaires were given out to a to integrate sports such as , football and are enthusiastic in reaching our goal random selection of the participants. and touch rugby into health organisations as of producing an NHS National Touch Rugby The results revealed that after playing a way of encouraging staff to adopt healthy League in 2012.

- 26 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 27 - The phrase “join BARLA and see the world” is one that has been repeated so many times during the last three of four decades that it has, to a degree, perhaps lost much of its impact. It remains, however, true for all that and is possibly more firmly-founded than ever. PHIL HODGSON looks at BARLA’s recent globe trotting ....

As the Bulletin went to press, the BARLA BARLA’s input in the first decade of the Under 21s were about to jet off to twenty-first century will be seen as seminal. Russia for a 10-day tour. And, as coaches The opening game, while won by 34 Tony Spence and Neil Horton flew out, points, appeared to be in the balance at BARLA bosses were digesting reports of half-time, when the sides were locked at successfully completed jaunts by the Under 8-8. But it was pretty much one-way traffic 19s and the Under 23s. in the second match, in which York Acorn’s – with the Leigh Rientoul raced over for four tries. most-capped player in British Rugby League Great Britain were 34-0 ahead after half an history - led the Under 19s to the land of hour had passed and were never in danger the vuvuzela where the man who knows of defeat. all about how to win at any level, including The BARLA Great Britain Young Lions, at the younger age groups after having meanwhile, saw off all comers in South captained the BARLA Under 18s to victory Africa, with the closing 44-30 win over the in Australia in the early 1980s, helped guide hosts’ Under 21s team being an abrasive Great Britain to a 100 per cent record with affair. five wins in as many outings. Tom van Vollenhoven, the immortal St Head Coach Kevin Thompson took Helens winger of the late 1950s and early his Under 23s to the Ukraine where an 1960s, was chief guest at the match and, unbeaten record since he took over around although having played Rugby League in four years ago was under threat. an era of particularly robust play, may have In the event Britain came home with winced at a contest in which three players that proud history no longer quite intact, (all South African) were sent off, three despite having won both their full scale others sin-binned and three more carried off All around the world games, beating the Ukraine Students 46-12 injured. in the tour opener and closing with a 68-4 Two of the wounded, admittedly, were crushing of the full Ukraine side. BARLA duo Matthew Bell (of Thatto Heath) The tourists were thwarted 1-0 in a and Wigan St Patrick’s’ Tom Spencer, who bizarre final in the Artur Martirosyan Snr clashed heads, while the bizarre nature of Memorial competition. BARLA, who had two the match was illustrated by the fact that decent-looking tries vetoed, slipped to a Britain trailed 8-0 at one point despite rare reverse when Eduard Ososkov landed having dominated the game. a one-pointer 15 minutes from the close. In the previous match, Schofield’s charges The Under 23s had beaten Ukraine Students edged a South African President’s X111 48-6 and the Ukraine national side 32-6 24-22, holding out for victory after tries by en route to the decider of a competition Bell, Maryport’s Steve Scholey, Jack Murray arranged on a nine-a-side basis but played (Egremont), Mark Ballard (Leigh East) and 13-a-side. Spencer had helped establish a 24-16 lead. That defeat, while it rankled, has The tour had opened with a 50-18 not been allowed to detract from the victory over South Africa Under 21s achievements and progress made in the Students, despite the Lions having trailed “full” games; particularly as there were to an early try and having led only 12-10 at concerns over the “short time” played in the the interval. final. That success was followed by 76-0 and Crucially, much satisfaction can 78-0 wallopings of SA Junior Development legitimately be gained from that defeat in and South Africa Schools respectively that BARLA has, almost by definition, been – Bell claiming a hat-trick in the first match shown to have done its job on the tour 12 – as sheer Rugby League “know how” had months ago by assisting in the Ukraine’s its effect. There will, rest assured, come development. the day when the Rhinos will be equally There will, surely, come a time when the experienced in the 13-a-side game, thanks Ukraine will be competing at professional largely to BARLA’s repeated visits at all age level and, as and when that happens, levels.

- 28 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk www.tryit.co.uk RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN - 29 - RUGBY LEAGUE ROCKS BLACKPOOL!

The youth of today The RFL is happy to announce plans for the creation of a Young People’s Advisory Panel as part of its’ on-going commitment to give a “voice” to Rugby League enthusiasts nationwide. TOM HOYLE explains ....

The creation of the new Young People’s represents a fantastic opportunity to • Be aged 16-21 Advisory panel ensures that the RFL is an get involved with the RFL and directly • Be currently or previously organisation that listens to and is informed contribute to policy change. It’s important involved with community Rugby by the opinions of young people; striving we give young people a voice in our game in League as a player, coach, match to ensure positive experiences for young order to drive forward as a sport,” said James official or volunteer participants everywhere. Shuttleworth, National Youth Volunteer • Have a desire to be “the voice” of The national panel, to be chaired by Julia Manager. young people Lee, Head of Participation, will meet no The creation of the panel will keep the • Be able to commit approximately more then three times a year at Red Hall to RFL at the forefront of sports development six hours a month to undertake discuss and debate the following: and will greatly help to achieve key strategic their role • Changes in the structure of youth objectives in the Community Game Strategy, • Be able to commit to three rugby particularly around communications and meeting per year • Communications between young increasing participation. Rugby League enthusiasts and A full interview process will take place For further information or if you are NORTHERN RAIL CUP FINAL. 18TH JULY 2010. BLOOMFIELD ROAD. the RFL and applications are invited from interested interested please send a copy of your CV • RFL policies which impact on parties from all corners of the country, by and a covering letter to: young people way of forwarding a CV with a cover letter explaining why you feel you fit the bill. The Kelly Barrett TICKETS BOOK NOW: 0844 856 1113 OR Two nominated members will also go exciting, high profile voluntary role will Community Game Services Dept forward and take part in the Youth & Junior receive a benefits package including kit, The RFL, The Zone, St Andrews Road, £12-£18 Forum, a key device used to advance youth tickets to events and expenses. Huddersfield, , HD1 6PT ONLINE WWW.RUGBYLEAGUETICKETS.CO.UK Rugby League. or “The Young People’s Advisory Panel Members of the panel must: e-mail at [email protected] THE NORTHERN RAIL 9’S CONTACT YOUR CHAMPIONSHIP - 30 - RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN www.tryit.co.uk 17TH JULY. FYLDE RUFC. CLUB FOR TICKETS NOW What does the Carnegie Challenge Cup mean to you?

CARNEGIE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL Saturday 28th August, kick off 2.30pm, Wembley TICKETS £21 - £76. SPECIAL FAMILY TICKET OFFER*: £55 & £79 BOOK NOW, Call 0844 8561113 or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk For Hospitality call 0844 856 1114. For Disabled enquiries call 0844 856 1113 or e-mail [email protected] *2 adults & 2 children. Offer on £21 & £31 tickets