Hornets launch RFL Player Performance course

Photo: B.Woodburn

Participants line up on day one alongside St Helens RLFC Super League Trophy

Rochdale Hornets launched the RFL Player Performance this week at Matthew Moss high school and had over fifty players attend the three day course.

There was a special visit on day one of the course, as Hornets partner club St Helens RLFC brought the Super League trophy they won earlier this month with a hard fought victory over Wigan Warriors.

Hornets first team player Paul Crook was also on hand to pass on his expertise alongside former RFL National Development manager Andy Harland, Rochdale Mayfield coach Aidan Gleeson and Mayfield first teamer Seta Tala, Hornets CEO Ryan Bradley and Hornets new community coach, James Tilley.

"The three day camp was a massive success," commented Ryan Bradley, Hornets CEO.

"The response was phenomenal and we have some really talented rugby league players in Rochdale.

"Rochdale has had fantastic success recently producing players for Super League Academies as well as junior regional and international programmes, with a plethora of 15 and 16 year olds signed to clubs, including Bradford Bulls, Salford Red Devils, Wigan Warriors and St Helens.

"What we want to make sure is that none of the talent gets missed and that we offer the best possible environment to develop players to the best of their ability."

The ‘Embed the Pathway’ programme is a new programme rolling out across the country which looks to introduce players to the skills and qualities needing to make it to the top of the rugby league pyramid.

Current St Helens player Jack Ashworth, who came through the ranks at the previously titled Service Area Player Development Centre, has recently signed a first team contract at St Helens, an opportunity that may have passed him by had he not been through the programme.