Hornets launch youth programme

A local community project aims to achieve closer links between local schools, the Asian community and rugby league in Rochdale.

The programme, which is being spearheaded by Full Employment UK in conjunction with Hornets Rugby League Club, will be going into Falinge Park Community School teaching local pupils all about the game.

The course will involve the Hornets delivering classroom sessions into the schools for year nine and ten pupils. They will learn about healthy lifestyles, physiology, diet and nutrition and also watch a game of rugby.

After this, pupils will then get involved in a six-eight week training course with a view of the school entering a team into the Hornets Rugby League U16s competition in 2009/2010.

The Hornets community staff and players will then deliver a five week session into the local primary schools finishing with a tag rugby league competition at Falinge Park High School.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen is putting his full support behind the campaign. He said: "I am delighted that the Hornets are building closer links with both our Asian community and our local schools. It is important for the future of rugby in Rochdale that we increase community integration and hopefully this project will see an increase in participation at our local amateur rugby league clubs. The pupils will be learning many new skills that they will be able to apply in many different areas of their lives which can only help their future prospects."

Peter Omerod, President of Rochdale Hornets, said: "We see this project as very much our way of giving something back to the community. Rugby league is a sport that is based on the principles of respect, especially for the referee, the opposing side and their fans. It is a sport that is based on family values. Fans mingle from both sides freely at games and everyone is welcome. These are lessons that I believe our local youngsters should be learning. We are delighted to be involved with this project and we very much welcome the support of our local MP, Paul Rowen."

Hornets Stadium Company Chairman Peter Rush said: "I am glad to see that the new President of Rochdale Hornets is already going ahead with some great work in our community. Over the last few weeks both Paul Rowen and myself have been very busy talking with PCT Chiefs, the Chief constable of Rochdale and youth development officers from RMBC to make this happen and all have been so cooperative. There is no doubt that projects like these will help provide an upwards surge in getting youths off the streets and into the healthy atmosphere of competitive sport."