Diversity Day shows the delights of Rugby League

The Diversity Rugby League Day

The Rugby Football League has announced details of the Diversity Rugby League Day to be held at Mayfield Sports Arena in Castleton, Rochdale, on Saturday May 22nd.

The day was the idea of Greater Manchester RFL League For All Officer Paul Scanlon-Wells, who has put together an exciting day of Rugby League which showcases the various different strains of the game that are available to allow everyone to take part in the sport.

Paul said: “We have a diverse population in the area I cover and I thought about setting up a day where I could showcase all the various cultures and offer them a way to show Community Cohesion through the game of Rugby League."

The day kicks off with a Masters game that pits Union against League when Mayfield play Oldham RU under RL Masters rules.

That is followed by an International Cross Border challenge which sees the Ayr Knights travel down from Scotland to play a Rochdale Select team.

Michael Henry, Knights Head Coach, said: "We were invited by Paul to the Murrayfield Magic Weekend to play in the Tag Competition that had been organised and through our conversation we got onto the subject of us coming down to play a team from down here, and for the development of our lads we jumped at the chance and I hope we will do Scotland proud!"

The day also sees another first with the West Indies Masters playing their first match take on the NZ Masters.

Bing Findlater has organised the West Indies Team with support from Dean Thomas and Steve Pryce and are hoping that from this game the Masters can develop like the Jamaican International team has done and become a regular fixture.

The day also has a couple of on field demonstrations with a Kabaddi Match that is run by the Grange Kabaddi Club in Oldham which is a form of wrestling that has similarities with the tackling style we use in Rugby League and it proved a success last half term when some of the children from Local Rugby League Club's took part in a taster session.

Also on the day, the Rochdale Swarm Tag Team will also showcase there skills that have made them the leading Tag Club in the country and will allow people to participate in the game.

Finally, Ikram Butt will bring his British Pakistani Rugby League Team over to play a Rochdale Select side to raise the profile of the game to the local Asian Community in the area.

Paul added: "It promises to be an exciting fun filled day of Rugby League in Rochdale which will show the differing options available for the public to take part in the sport of Rugby League.

“You have the non-contact versions of the game in Touch and Tag to the full contact versions of the game in the open flowing version of the game to the modified version that allows the over 35's to continue to play in a modified tackling version of the game.

"The day will show that Rugby League is a sport for all!"

For further information on the Diversity Day or about how to get involved in the various versions of the sport please ring Paul on 07775022797 or email paul.scanlon-wells@rfl.uk.com