SRDFoundation Community Embrace RL World Cup

SRDFoundation & Community Embrace World Cup at Scotland V USA Match 

Thursday 7th November saw the Rugby League World Cup roll into Salford as the Scotland played the USA at the AJ Bell Stadium. Supported by the Salford Red Devils Foundation, the local community took this once in a lifetime opportunity to get involved, and experience World Cup Fever for themselves.


While the main event between the teams kicked off at 8pm, the Foundation hosted a range of activities to allow the local community and rugby league enthusiasts the chance to embrace this special evening of world class Rugby League action.


Community Rugby League teams took part in a festival prior to the game; with Eccles Roosters, Leigh Miners, Golborne Parkside, Culcheth Eagles, Rochdale Mayfield, Hindley and Langworthy Reds, with all the Under 9‘s teams getting involved, having fun and showing a lot of potential on the pitch, with Community Coach Danny Barton exclaiming, “There’s really some players out there, and given the right development, there’s a future in the game for some of them that’s for sure”.


Following the Rugby Festival, with the main event kicking off, all the festival participants took their place in the stadium for the big match. With a crowd approaching capacity, the crowd were in full voice to show their appreciation at half time as the Under 9’s community teams took the pitch for a lap of honour, having already been on the pitch prior to kick off to form a guard of honour for the two competing international teams.


Half time also show the World Cup Zumba dancers bringing some sunshine and heat to an otherwise chilly November Salford night, with local Army Regiment taking the field for the flag bearing ceremony.


Community Coach Lewis Locket, Foundation Festival Co-ordinator, said, “It’s been a fantastic evening, and a great night for the youngsters to get involved with such a prominent International sports tournament.


“I’m sure may of the young players will remember this night for a long time yet, and that the experience will give them further encouragement in their sporting lives.


“With Youth Festivals such as this, as well as the new Pop-Up Street Rugby games and our new Touch Rugby League, the World Cup has really given us a great platform to grow the sports engagement with young players and the wider community, and it’s really an exciting time for the game”.


With the World Cup Final taking place at Old Trafford at the end of the month, as well as numerous Rugby League activities there is still plenty of opportunity to experience and enjoy the World Cup atmosphere.


For additional information regarding any of the Salford Red Devils Foundation’s sporting activities in the Community, or for information on World Cup tickets and events, please contact us at the Foundation offices on 0161 820 2739, or alternatively keep up to date by following us on Twitter (@SRDFoundation) or at our Facebook page.