Hornets News

Hornets Reserves
Since Hornets re-formed as a Co-operative the clubs philosophy has been to put the correct infrastructure in place to allow the club to grow and develop.

Head Coach John Stankevitch is also a firm believer in forward planning and having the correct structures in place for the team to progress.

With this in mind John Stankevitch has asked the club to under take a feasibility study into running a reserve team in 2011.

The obvious problem at a club like Hornets is cost. How much is the true figure for running a reserve team? Are there any lower cost alternatives i.e. Summer Conference? Is there any supplimentary income available from running a reserve team?

These questions and more will have to be answered before a decision can be made.

But in the short term the club are pleased to announce that before the Hornets V Gateshead Thunder clash on Bank Holiday Monday 3 of May Hornets are having a pre game curtain raiser of:

Hornets Select v Gateshead Thunder Select

The Hornets Select team will be made up of the Hornets first team squad players not selected for the Co-operative Championship 1 clash and players drawn from local amateur sides and the Hornets Under 17`s.

The game has a 1pm kick off time with the main Hornets V Thunder clash at 3pm.

We are sure Hornets supporters will come down early to cheer on the Hornets boys in both games. Also this could be the acorn from which the oak tree grows.

Stankys preview for Sunday
Our last fixture against York was earlier in the season in the NRC. Played in midweek and in snow, we came away from the game with a 34 - 12 loss. The scoreline however didn't give the full story.

The side that took the field that night was very much experimental, with plenty of youth, and lads that were given the opportunity to impress. Had it not been for two interception tries and a very odd refereeing decision which resulted in a 5m scrum from a dropped ball behind our try line which led to a try?, then the game would have been alot closer.

The team that we intend to take up to York will certainly be a more settled side and although still not the strongest from the squad, I expect us to give a better account of ourselves that we have in our previous away fixtures this season.

Dayne Donoghue will again miss the game with work commitments, and he will continue to be a loss and we will continue to miss his experience. Bolu Fagborun and Damien Reid will be likely to miss the game, both through illness, and again, it's likely to be their experience that we will miss the most. Danny Fleming (on loan from Halifax) has failed to pass his head test and prove his fitness after being taken to hospital during the Oldham game 3 weeks ago and will therefore be unavailable for selection. Andy Saywell continues to struggle with a long standing back injury and will not be selected. Steven Roper is a week away from full fitness from his shoulder injury, and Mark Hobson is looking likely to be fit in two weeks time.

We expect a stern test from a York side that have spent plenty of money this season and have some real experience in the form of Chris Thorman. They also have some talented younger players such as Jonathon Schofield as well as some tough forwards such as Danny Hill and Richard Blakeway. They have recently brought in another member of staff, experienced coach, Dave Woods, who will add to their knowledge base and no doubt give them a fresh set of ideas.

The york side expect to be there of thereabouts come the end of the season and they will no doubt expect a win from Sundays game. We have our own ideas about where we intend to be come September, and we will approach Sundays game in a thoroughly professional manner.

The work has been done to produce a win against York and from here on in, its down to the players to prepare and produce. We know how we want to play, and York will look to disrupt our plan. Its upto us to make sure they don't.

See you Sunday

Stanky

Lottery Update
As mentioned in the last Members eNewsletter the Hornets GOLDLIN£ LOTTERY continues to grow at a steady rate and the club were pleased to announce the Milnrow Cobras are now an a partner club.

Further good news has seen the Hornets Supporters Team, The Rochdale Swarm and in a first a non-sporting club in Milnrow Parish signing up as lottery partners.
Clubs and organisations who become lottery partners benefit from a healthy commission whilst also raising money for Hornets at the same time.

For more information about the lottery click on the link www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/page.php?id=723  or email steve.goodall@hornetsrugbyleague.com 

Advertising Boards
One area Hornets have historically performed poorly at is selling a fair share of the advertising boards at Spotland Stadium.

This is now starting to change. Thanks to an innovative new partnership Hornets can offer a complete design, manufacture and installation service to prospective advertisers.

Already the partnership has born fruit with nearly half of all the signs at the back of the Pearl Street stands being Hornets generated as well as ALL the new "crowd facing" boards in the Main Stand.
If anyone is interested in having advertising space please contact Hornets CEO Mike Banks at mike.banks@hornetsrugbyleague.com  

Race night and Fashion Show
Both the Race Night and Fasion show which took place last weekend proved to be big successes for Hornets.

For a review and pictures of the fashion show click here
www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/article.php?id=1522  

For a review and pictures of the Race Night Click here
www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/article.php?id=1502  

Stanky and the boys deserve a big pat on the back for giving up their free time and supporting these events, as do all the supporters who came along as well.

Carnegie Challenge Cup Ticket Reminder
Tickets/vouchers for the Carnegie Cup Final 2010 are now on sale from Hornets Rugby League. We have tickets priced at £26.00 and £41.00

Each ticket/voucher bought from the club direct earns the club £13.00, so if we sell 100 the club can profit to the value of £1300.

If you or anyone would like to purchase a ticket/voucher and help Stanky`s first team development, please buy your ticket from the club direct. You can do this by calling Nicola Webster on 01706 648004, e-mail nicola.webster@hornetsrugbyleague.com or call in to the club office between 9- 4.30 Monday to Friday.