Competition launch for College RLDC

To mark the launch this month of the Wakefield College Rugby League Development Centre (RLDC), in conjunction with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, the College was asked for the second year running, to host the Student Rugby League 9’s championship.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Website

Matt Jefferies, from the Student Rugby League said, “It is fantastic to see this level of development within the student game at college level. Wakefield College is the base for our Centre of Excellence for the England Students Team and as a result, the Student Rugby League already has a good working relationship with the College.”

The 9’s tournament took place on Wednesday at the Eastmoor Amateur Rugby League Club in Wakefield – an 11th hour arrangement made by the College when, the night before the tournament the posts at the Thornes Park facility were found to have been vandalised - and saw colleges from around the region taking part.

The tournament provided a positive start to the season for the new College RLDC, and was the first official competition for the squad. It was hoped that it would also be an incentive for new students within the College to take up the sport, as well as identifying potential new players on the periphery of the full RLDC squad for the upcoming season.

Pete Riding, RLDC Head Coach and the Wildcats Player Performance Manager, said, “The 9’s competition is an excellent opportunity for students to show what they can do and earn their place in the squad. The players we have recruited, and those we are looking to recruit, will have the right combination of both skill and ability on the field, as well as the desire, commitment and positive attitude off the field, to the game and also to and academic success.”

In other, off-the-field events, the RLDC has this month secured three major sponsors which will help to improve quality of preparation for the players within the RLDC. Richard Smith, of main sponsor Sixt Car Rental, in Wakefield said, “We are proud to be involved with this exciting new venture, which will develop the standards of Rugby League at all levels within the area.” The College also announced Active 4 and Pizza Hut Wakefield as associate sponsors.

Nick Young, Wakefield College RLDC co-ordinator said, “I am delighted to see local businesses becoming involved in the RLDC, which, although still only in it’s infancy, is already showing promise of to having a tremendous future in the development of the sport of Rugby League, and subsequently the local community.”

Nick said the Development Centre had also announced the recruitment of Carl Chapman as physiotherapist to the squad, further evidence of the professionalism surrounding this project and re-emphasising the quality of support the project is receiving.

Carl said, “ I am delighted to have this opportunity to work with the RLDC, both on match days and in the recovery process following injuries. I was first made aware of the potential of this project after talking with Mark Helme, Conditioner to the Wakefield Trinity Senior Academy, who is also involved with the RLDC through his role as Sports Science Lecturer with the College.”

For more information on the Wakefield College Rugby League Development Centre, contact Alistair Black on: 01924 789 814. e-mail: a.black@wakcoll.ac.uk

ENDS
CONTACT: For more information email info@wakefield.ac.uk, or telephone 01924 789 789.
CONTACT: DATE: 15th September 2004