Stretford High School Host England Academy

England Rugby League Academy began preparations for a two match series versus Wales with the first of two training sessions held at Stretford High School.

 

The England Academy squad is made up of players aged 19 and 20 from Super League clubs and most have broken through into first grade, including Salford Red Devil’s own Edwin Okanga Ajwang.

 

Previous players to break through have included future superstars of the game including the Adrian Morely and Jodie Broughton. The squad linked with GCSE and BTEC PE students and it was a great chance for sports students to see firsthand elite professional sport in action on their doorstep.

 

Stretford High School has developed into a regional Rugby League hub in recent times, reflected by it being the home of newly formed SRDFoundation community team North Trafford Titans, coached by the foundations very own community coach, Danny Barton.

 

Danny Barton, familiar with many of the Stretford High School RL players trhough his coaching, said, “It’s fantastic for the young players to have the chance to see future internationals and stars of the game train close up, giving them a real understanding of the levels of dedication and professionalism needed to succeed at the top level.

 

“With any luck, a bit of this may have rubbed off on the team! It’s great recognition for the area and the High School to be used as a base prior to this round of fixtures, and just shows the progression the area has made in consideration to such recognition in recent years.”

 

England Academy play Wales in November whilst the area hosts the senior World Cup Final at Old Trafford in November.  We are delighted to be holding a match here at the AJ Bell stadium a between Scotland and the USA also.

 

To take advantage of our Friends of the Foundation offer on international match tickets for Scotland Vs USA, as well as for information on our VIP WC Final tickets, please contact the foundation directly on 0161 820 2739.