College plays host to New Zealand Kiwi Rugby League Team

New Zealand Rugby League squad

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Hopwood Hall College is playing host to the New Zealand Rugby League squad who have recently arrived in the North West to compete in the Gilette Tri-Nations Championship this month. The Kiwis will be staying in Manchester throughout the tournament and using Hopwood Hall’s sports facilities to train for their forthcoming games, to the delight of the College’s Rugby League Academy students.

The Tri-Nations Championship sees New Zealand, Great Britain and Australia battle it out to secure them selves a place in the final to be held in Leeds on 26th November. The Kiwi team beat Great Britain at Loftus Road last Saturday but meet again this Sunday 6 November in Warrington.

Hopwood Hall College is a Centre of Excellence for Sport (in partnership with South Trafford College) and runs a specialist Rugby League Academy for aspiring players. The twenty eight students in the Academy are delighted to be sharing the same pitch as their sporting heroes, such as Shontayne Hape, Stacey Jones and Brent Webb. The students will be observing the squad in training and hope to learn how to perform the legendary ‘Haka’ warrior dance before the team return home.

Matt Calland, Hopwood’s Rugby League tutor and ex-Great Britain player said: “We are thrilled to have the team at College. The students are excited to get the opportunity to meet the players and pick up some tips on training. Having the Kiwis on campus will give the lads a chance to see rugby league being played at it’s finest in familiar surroundings.”