Rugby league coaching touches down for borough’s youngsters

Back(l-r): James Tilley, Hornets back row, Councillor Daniel Meredith, Dr Graham Wright, CEO of Wardle Academy, Hornets coach Alan Kilshaw, Wardle coach Chris Coop and Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council. Front(l-r): Wardle pupils and rugby league players Jack Murray, Lewis Crossley-Cummings, Jack Bennatta, Sam Bennetta, Kasper Mialkowski, Aidan Schofield and Taylor Brady

Youngsters from across the borough are set to be offered rugby league coaching with the chance to play a final at the Spotland Stadium, as part of a new initiative launched by Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation.

The Rochdale Origin Series, run in conjunction with Rochdale Borough Council’s townships committees, will see coaching offered to every school in the borough and the creation of new representative teams at under 11 and under 13 levels.

The new under 11 teams will represent Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and Pennine townships in four festivals, while the under 13s will compete in a round-robin tournament culminating in a final played at the Hornets’ 10,000 seater home ground.

Niel Wood, trustee of the Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation, said: “We based the Rochdale Origin series on Australian Rugby League’s legendary State of Origin series. We’re really excited to be bringing the sport to so many young people in the borough.

“It is our hope that the project will not only promote rugby league, but also encourage a bit of civic pride through high-quality coaching, competitive matches and a healthy rivalry between the townships.”

Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Rochdale can proudly count itself amongst the founders of rugby league over 120 years ago, in fact the Hornets were one of the world's first rugby league clubs.

“The Rochdale Origin series is the perfect way for our youngsters to enjoy the passion, competition and sportsmanship that this game encourages, and one day we may even see them go on to play for the Hornets themselves.”