CHELTENHAM RUGBY FESTIVAL RETURNS
The rugby league season kicks off in Gloucestershire with the return of the Cheltenham Festival of Rugby on 24 and 25 April.
Following last summer’s event where eight schools and eight adult sides competed in competitions celebrating the centenary of the deciding match of the inaugural rugby league test series between New Zealand and Great Britain in Cheltenham, the 2009 event promises to be bigger and better with an expanded two-day schedule to encompass four competitions.
A dozen schools from across the county have confirmed their participation in two age groups while a similar number of adult men’s sides are expected to bid for the now prestigious All Golds Trophy held by the Army. There will also be for the first time a women’s competition, which breaks new ground as the first such competition in the county.
The Festival’s Administrator, Peter Chadwick commented: “We are thrilled at the level of interest in the festival from all over the country and indeed overseas.”
The Festival will kick off on Friday 24 April with the 1908 Cup which has expanded into competitions for schools at Year 8 and Year 9. On the second day, Saturday 25 April, the All Golds Cup will take place as will the new Golden Fern Cup where women’s rugby league will be showcased.
The tournaments will take place at Cheltenham RFC’s Newlands Park facility. “We are pleased to be in partnership with Cheltenham, said Hurst but although the Prince of Wales is a great facility, put simply Newlands has the space we need to cater for the interest in the event.
The Festival is also developing links with the Carnegie 9s which is held in Leeds on 26 August as the abbreviated form of rugby league (equivalent to union’s sevens) increases in popularity.
The Event Manager for the Festival, Trevor Moss added: “Nines is a great way to learn the game. It has all the rules of the 13-a-side version but there is more space to play in encouraging running with the ball making it exciting both to play and watch.”
===========================
Chris Wilson
Media Manager, Gloucestershire Warriors RLFC
Tel: +44 (0)1684 850903
Mobile: + 44 (0)7905 931033
Email: gloswarriors2004@aol.com
============================
To return to the main news page click Here
If you feel you have some relevant information to share with our visitors, or you would like to sponsor this site, please email us Here.
about GR
L e a g u e
The Gloucestershire Rugby League is an organisation for local rugby league clubs in Gloucestershire. Our main activity currently is to promote rugby league through the County and give useful information about our sport to the public of Gloucestershire.
