THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE RFL | ISSUE 58 LLLEEEAAAGGGUUUEEE FFFOOORRR AAALLLLLL S TRENGTH IN NUMBERS REA DY TO ROCK RUGBY LEAGUE BULLETIN April 2009 CONTENTS Going For Gold 6 Clubs To Benefit From Reduced Coaching Fees 7 League For All Pg 8 & 9 Putting Something Back 10 Thumbs Up To Leaders Awards 12 Final Frenzy 14 Wales Crowned Champions 19 Scottish Progress Pg 16, 17 & 18 A Complete Makeover 20 Money Maker 21 Three Cup Kings 24 One Hell Of A Raffle Gets Army Support 25 WeekendStrength In Numbers Pg 16Pg & 2217 & 23 THE MAGIC WEEKEND A Great Opportunity 28 2ND & 3RD MAY. MURRAYFIELD, EDINBURGH THE ULTIMATE WEEKEND FOR RUGBY LEAGUE FANS. SATURDAY 2ND MAY KICK OFF SUNDAY 3RD MAY KICK OFF Published by the Rugby League Services Department of the RFL. The RFL, The Zone, St Andrews Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6PT. CubsReady To Lions To Rock Tel - 01484 448000 | Fax - 01484 545582, Pg 26 & 27 SALFORD CITY REDS V HARLEQUINS RL 3.00PM HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS V CELTIC CRUSADERS 12.30PM Email - [email protected] | Internet - www.rfl.uk.com Pg 26 & 27 WAKEFIELD WILDCATS V BRADFORD BULLS 5.00PM HULL FC V CASTLEFORD TIGERS 2.30PM WIGAN WARRIORS V ST HELENS 7.00PM CATALANS DRAGONS V LEEDS RHINOS 4.30PM The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the RFL Board of Directors. WARRINGTON WOLVES V HULL KR 6.30PM Super League. In a league of its own Contributors - Tom Hoyle, Craig Spence, Phil Caplan, Neil Barraclough, swpix.com, Dave Williams, Phil Hodgson, Nick Boothroyd TICKET PRICES: DAY £5-£35 WEEKEND £10-£50 If you are interested in advertising in the Rugby League Bulletin, please contact - CALL RFL TICKET HOTLINE NOW ON 0871 226 1313 [email protected] OR ONLINE AT: WWW.RUGBYLEAGUETICKETS.CO.UK Main Cover Photograph - Edinburgh Castle, Scotland © The Rugby Football League Ltd 2009 FOR HOSPITALITY CALL: 0871 226 1311 Designed by - Tom Hoyle FOR DISABLED ENQUIRIES CALL: 0871 226 1313 Printed by - Redwood Print Ltd Tel - 01484 711111 OR E-MAIL [email protected] Rugby League Quins Coach Wins Top Honour arlequins Rugby League community coach, Andrew Flint News Hhas been named Community Sports Coach of the Year at the prestigious PRO-ACTIVE London Awards. Andrew saw off competition from over 70 fellow Community Sports Coaches, working in all sports throughout London, and was presented with the award during a gala ceremony held at Lords Cricket Ground. The judges praised Andrew for his incredible commitment to the development of Rugby League in London which sees him go above and beyond his job remit. Andrew was specially commended for his social inclusion work which has included initiating, organising and conducting training sessions with Eagles Ready To Fly a local young offenders centre. He also volunteers much of his free time to running local junior clubs and supporting the ore players are set to gain representative Harlequins Rugby League Scholarship programme. Mhonours thanks to the Fraser Eagle National Conference League. Andrew Flint said he was delighted to have been honoured with the award. The League are launching a new representative Whitton Take The Lead side - the “NCL Eagles”, and the newly formed A New Generation Of Volunteers “It feels great to have been recognised in this way as I love team will be making their debut this summer with my job and feel so passionately about sport I work in and the a two game tour of France that includes fixtures hitton School and Sports College added yet another string to their lmost 30 young volunteers descended on Bradford College last month to take part in values it upholds. against France B and Morocco between the 18th WRugby League bow by hosting South England’s first ever Rugby Athe inaugural RFL Step into Sport Camp. League Leaders Award. and 22nd of June. “This award is not just about me, it’s recognition of the The youngsters – aged from 16 to 19 – travelled from all over the UK to take part in a achievements of the entire community department at “We are delighted to take up the invitation of the In partnership with “v” – the youth volunteering organisation - Robbie Marr variety of activities which included workshops on coaching, event organisation, match Harlequins Rugby League and the work we are doing in this French and Moroccan Rugby League for what is delivered the course to twelve Whitton Year 11 students, who will become officials and career pathways. area.” a fantastic opportunity for all our players in the London’s future community sports volunteers. Fraser Eagle National Conference League,” stated “I’m incredibly passionate about Rugby League and the values “The camp is the culmination of months of planning and preparation, but is only the first Robbie, the RFL’s young volunteer coordinator, put the young men through the NCL Chairman, Trevor Hunt. it carries.” step on the road to Wembley and the Carnegie Champion Schools Finals,” said James their paces in coaching, refereeing and organising Tag Rugby League Shuttleworth, National Youth Volunteer Manager. festivals, over three evenings at the school. “This is very much in line with the NCL’s forward Paul Blanchard, Harlequins Rugby League General Manager, strategy and fully meets with the ambitions and congratulated Andrew on the award, saying, “Andrew shows “All the participants now have a great opportunity to take part in one of Rugby League Harlequins RL Development Officer Jimmy Giblin, was also present expectations of our clubs. The adoption of the an amazing commitment to both his work and the sport, and most high profile events.” throughout the course to share his expertise in Junior Rugby League Eagles is synonymous with the NCL’s ambitions everyone at the club is thrilled that he has been recognised to be standard bearers for the amateur game and coaching and offer these budding volunteers an outlet in to community Funded by a grant from the Sport England Innovation Fund, the camp was held over two with this important award. ensures we are in no way encroaching on the sport in Richmond Borough. days and included the attendees staying over night in the universities halls of residence. already established set ups of the Great Britain “Rugby League is now one of the fastest growing sports in The students hugely impressed with their attitude and enthusiasm during Community Lions and BARLA. London, and this award is not only fantastic news for Andrew, 20 selected volunteers from the camp will now go forward to work at the Carnegie the award and large share of the students are set to begin volunteer Champion Schools Finals at RAF Uxbridge in August, with some also helping out at but also the development of the sport in London.” “We have long felt that the NCL needs its own positions in the school environment and the borough’s Junior Rugby League the year seven final which is played at Wembley as the curtain raiser to the Carnegie representative outlet and the Eagles will now club, the Richmond Warriors. Challenge Cup Final. The aims of the Harlequins Rugby League Community Team provide just that for our players. We have are to educate, promote and develop Rugby League in London appointed a well respected and much revered The Rugby League Leaders Award is a qualification for youngsters aged “All the participants were great,” said Jade Mackie, North East Youth Volunteer Co- and the South. In 2008 they coached over 20,000 young Tour manager in Ken Sykes and we hope that 16 -19 years and is the first of its kind run in the South region, with many ordinator. people in London. all our players will enjoy their experience as the more scheduled in the Richmond Borough and across wider London. very first Eagles.” If you would like to find out more about the work of the “I’d like to thank all of them for coming along and hope that they enjoyed the weekend.” The qualification will now enable these volunteers to run all aspects of Tag Harlequins Rugby League Community Team, including details Rugby League festivals, hold positions in community teams, assist with The side - which will be managed by Ken Sykes on how you can get involved with Rugby League in London, delivering junior Rugby League programmes and act as a stepping stone to (Heworth) and NCL Management member Terry visit www.quins.co.uk Caddy - is open to players from the first and full RFL coaching and refereeing courses. second division of the flagship league and clubs BME Only Coaching Course have already been asked to nominate a maximum “The leader’s course is a fantastic tool for students to learn and of three players, with a deadline of Wednesday f you know any Black or Minority Ethnic (BME) people aged 16+ who might be interested demonstrate Rugby League leadership skills,” said RFL Youth Volunteer 1st April set. Iin becoming a qualified coach, then why not encourage them to apply for our FREE Co-ordinator Robbie Marr. Rugby league Coaching course on 17th & 24th May at Kirkstall Rugby Training Ground in The coaching positions will also be filled by the Leeds. “These young leaders are the future of London Rugby League Development nomination process and once the coaching staff and it’s great to see them actively getting involved”. have been appointed, players will be informed of This is an RFL Positive Action initiative developed in response to the low number of BME their selection. coaches currently working in Rugby League. If you are a school or club in the London & the South area and are interested in running Rugby League Leadership awards please contact “I am really delighted to have been asked to be As part of this initiative each participant will be allocated a mentor to support their Robbie on 07595529182 or via email at [email protected] involved in this tour which I believe will further training and work as new coaches.