Foundation ready for bumper 2017
Foundation ready for bumper 2017
Following a hugely successful 2016, the Salford Red Devils Foundation are preparing for an even bigger year in 2017 as they continue to develop the game of rugby league in the Salford, Manchester, Trafford and Bury areas.
In the previous 12 months the Foundation worked with over 130 primary and secondary schools, delivering a minimum on 6 weeks of coaching, and looking towards 2017, they are looking to expand this even further.
Starting with the band new player ambassador programme, which will see Salford Red Devils players regularly attending schools across the region, the Foundation are planning to engage with more young people than ever before, spreading the gospel of rugby league in the process.
Further to this the Foundation will continue its ambitious Education programme, which delivers a wide range of educational opportunities to people of all ages. Included in this is the ongoing Salford Red Devils enterprise programme, which is run in partnership with Natwest and the Big Lottery Fund.
This scheme brings secondary education aged children to the AJ Bell Stadium, with the aim to develop their enterprise skills and creativity, and give them a live experience of what it is like to work in a professional sports business environment.
Alongside this the Salford Red Devils Category 3 Academy will continue to compete in the National College Rugby League. The students are based at the AJ Bell Stadium full time and study towards gaining a diploma in sport, whilst benefitting from the top quality training facilities and coaches used by the Salford Red Devils first team, an experience that is unrivalled by other education facilities says Education Manager Neil Blackburn;
“The package that our pupils get is a fantastic exposure to life in a professional sporting environment. Alongside playing in the college league, we are equipping the lads with some fantastic life and occupational skills that they can take forwards into their professional careers”
The Foundation are also looking forward to another exciting year of health initiatives, including by the new Wheelchair Rugby programme, which aims to deliver regular sport and exercise to those with disabilities across the region.
The Salford Red Devils Dance Academy continues to go from strength to strength following a landmark year. 2016 saw the Foundation provide specialist dance classes to over 1000 thousand boys and girls, and Health Manager Joanne Shepherd is planning another exciting year for the programme, she said;
“The dance programme has proved to be really popular and so we’re going to continue that into 2017 and look to expand even more. Keep your eyes out at our game days to see the Dance Academy at half time and before the game, and you’ll see what it’s all about.”
Foundation Director Mark Brocklehurst is looking forward to another hugely successful year, he said;
“We’ve got really exciting plans in place for 2017 and we can’t wait to build on what we have achieved in recent years, we’re looking forwards to working alongside the club and the community to help the people of Salford benefit.”
For more information on the work carried out by the Foundation email mark.brocklehurst@salfordreddevils.net