To celebrate the start of the second year of our partnership – the first of its kind – Salford Red Devils and the Ghana Rugby League Federation have announced the establishment of the ‘Salford Red Devils Tag Rugby League Academy’.
The aim is to give children in Ghanaian schools the opportunity to try Rugby League, increasing their physical activity, whilst learning the core skills of the sport, in participation with clubs established in the country.
Players identified through the Tag Rugby Academy by teachers and community coaches will be placed into the ‘Rising Stars’ programme, offering further playing and training opportunities.
Salford Red Devils director, Paul Trainor, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the progress of the Ghana partnership during its first year. The team at Rugby League Federation Ghana are doing an incredible job developing the sport and we are proud to be supporting their work.
“The Salford Red Devils Tag Rugby League Academy will give more children the opportunity to play the game, building strong foundations for future success.”
Trainor added: “We will also be welcoming three RLFG development coaches to Salford during the 2023 season.
“They will spend time observing coaches at all levels of the club, first team, women’s, reserves, and our college/academy programme and work going on in the community. This will allow them to develop their coaching practice and experience to take back to their roles in Ghana.”
Jafaru Awudu Mustapha, general manager of Rugby League Federation Ghana, noted: “Through the partnership with the Salford Red Devils, the ‘Rising Stars’ programme will select and nurture the best players who might one day become part of our National Leagues as well as for the Leopards – our national team.”
“It’s great to see the development of the partnership continuing to grow for another year,” commented Middle East Africa RL regional manager, Remond Safi.
“This will help both organisations, strengthen the game in Ghana, and continue pioneering programmes such as this in the region.”
