Red Devils aim to make 'Big Game Bigger'
The Salford Red Devils Foundation are looking forwards to a bumper community event on Saturday, as they participate in Sky Try’s ‘Big Games Bigger’ initiative before the hotly anticipated clash with Super League champions Leeds Rhinos at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Sky Try aims to introduce 100,000 new people to sport of Rugby League each year and the ‘Big Games Bigger’ scheme is designed to increase the attendance at Super Leagues showpiece fixtures, through community engagement.
The Red Devils will host 5 junior rugby league festivals at venues across the area, including the community pitches at the AJ Bell. These festivals will involve players from the ages to 7 to 11 from 16 community clubs in the area, and is evidence of the continued work that the Salford are doing at a grassroots level, with support from Sky Try.
‘Big Games Bigger’ was a huge success last season as 1372 extra people attended the clubs Easter fixture against Wigan Warriors, and the Foundation are hoping that this year will see even more people passing through the gates, following the clubs extensive community engagement.
Foundation Director Mark Brocklehurst is delighted with the progress that the Foundation has been making along side Sky Try, and is excited to see the results of that work on Saturday;
‘It’s fantastic that we’re able to host these events with Sky Try. Attracting such large numbers in addition the clubs normal Super League crowd is testament to success of the programme and testament to the work done by the club in the local area.”
Away from Super League, Sky Try continues to support success at a community level, as Greater Manchester welcomes two new community clubs to its ranks this season, in the form of South Trafford Raiders and the Belle Vue Bees, and Brocklehurst says that the programme will only lead to further expansion;
“The community game in the area is now really strong, which will begin to benefit everyone from a grass roots to professional level, the club is committed to continuing that work, and we will continue to see real strides of progress”
The Salford Red Devils take on Leeds Rhinos at the AJ Bell Stadium on the 9th April, kicking off at 6.30 PM, tickets are available at http://www.reddevilsrugby.co.uk/tickets/
For more information on how to get involved in community rugby league, email Danny.barton@reddevilsrugby.co.uk
