Rugby League in Greater Manchester has been given a huge boost with the exciting news that the Salford Red Devils Foundation are bringing the Manchester Rangers Foundation into the organisation, to allow a more focused delivery plan delivering high quality rugby league sessions across the whole of Greater Manchester.
The merged charities that have individually delivered outstanding community rugby programmes across the area will now benefit from shared resources and have the backing and support of the Super league club, Salford Red Devils to inspire positive change locally.
Salford Red Devils Foundation Director, Neil Blackburn has said: “After discussions with the hierarchy at the Manchester Rangers Foundation it soon became clear that both organisations have very similar aims and objectives, looking to give local residents opportunities to access life changing programmes using Sport Health and Education as the vessel for change.
“Rugby League is a sport for all and on the back of the positive impact made by the most inclusive World Cup ever in 2022 joining forces seemed like a fantastic opportunity to enhance and grow the rugby league offering across Greater Manchester together.
“Joining forces gives us a new beginning where Salford Red Devils can help spread the word of rugby league across the north-west having two fabulous foundations championing health and physical activity opportunities for all!”
Initial activities in Manchester will continue under joint branding throughout the transitional period to ensure existing organisations and engagement feel no change to the existing operations.
Matt Valentine, Trustee of The Manchester Rangers has added: “Over the past decade we have been working hard in Manchester to grow Rugby League and increase participation across the city.
“From small roots we have grown the game to now have four community clubs under our umbrella in Belle Vue Bees, Broughton Park, Tameside Knights and Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club.
“Participation across the city, within the school game has increased immeasurable with more and more young people across the city now aware of and playing Rugby League.”
“Our trustees over the years in Malcolm Southerden, Stuart Morris, Phil Fitton and Chris Chamberlain have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create these opportunities, that have been passionately delivered on by our staff.
“We have now reached the level of which our delivery can no longer be overseen by our volunteer board alone and have struck a partnership with Salford Red Devils Foundation to take the Rugby League offer in Manchester to the next level.
“Our thanks go out to our partners and supporters over the years who have helped us grow and we are looking forward to an exciting future ahead with a pooled resource base that this new partnership can offer!”
For further information or to engage with us across Greater Manchester please contact: Neil.blackburn@srdfoundation.co.uk
If you are a school interested in delivery please contact: Joanne.shepherd@srdfoundation.co.uk
For community club/development pathway activities please contact: Danny.barton@srdfoundation.co.uk
