World Cup Final Success For SRDF

As the curtain fell on Rugby League World Cup on Saturday, the Foundation were delighted to reward our family of supporters, community partners and corporate sponsors with  the opportunity to see the tournament off in style.

 

With funds raised contributing to the Foundation’s ongoing initiatives to use sport to increase health, sporting and educational opportunities within the Salford community, those in attendance kicked off the day with brunch served at the James Martin Restaurant at the 235 Casino in Manchester at 10.30 am. With speakers including former Salford Reds player and manager Andy Gregory and Salford Red Devils new captain Adrian Morley, as well as ex-Salford player and current player welfare officer Paul Highton. With jokes and banterous tales from yesteryear, the pre-match entertainment provided a fantastic warm up for the day’s main event yet to come and was warmly received by everyone in attendance.

 

 

Andy Gregory said, “I always enjoy attending these Foundation events. Meeting supporters of the Club and Foundation activities is always enjoyable experience, and let’s hope we see a cracking game of Rugby today”.

 

 

Following brunch and speeches, the party made their way to the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford, to see who would emerge victorious in the final match between the Kangaroos of Australia and the All Blacks of New Zealand. While the disappointment of the semi-final loss for England remained, spirits were high with everyone looking forward to the pinnacle of the tournament unfolding on the pitch, with a top class game of Rugby League taking place.

 

 

With no home team to cheer on, a partisan audience perhaps favoured New Zealand as traditional loyalties took hold. However, despite Australia’s favourable score line not perhaps reflected the competitive nature of the game, both teams were warmly applauded upon the final whistle and as the trophy ceremony took place. 

 

 

After the trophy ceremony took place, the SRDFoundation WC Final party made their way back to the 235 Casino in Manchester, where the evening of frivolity continued. Greeted on arrival with bacon butties and drinks, an evening of revelry and high stakes fun on the casino tables awaited. While no doubt some members of the party won more than others that evening, over the course of the day, rugby was the real winner.

 

 

Foundation Director John Blackburn, “With our World Cup program coming to an end, we hope those who got involved with us over this period; whether in our many Youth Festivals, our Scotland V USA match day experience at the stadium or indeed at our Australia Kangaroos Community Day, enjoyed themselves. 

 

 

“We are delighted to draw a cracking world cup and our own tournament activities to a close in the company of so many friends and supporters, and are already eagerly awaiting the next Rugby League World Cup.”

 

 

For information on future corporate and VIP Rugby and sports events held by the Salford Red Devils Foundation please contact us at our community offices on 0161 820 2739. Alternatively keep up to date with our latest news on Facebook and Twitter @SRDFoundation.