Thunder storm to a top award
RUGBY LEAGUE
NEWCASTLE Thunder’s community activities were recognised for the second time in three years as the club’s community project was named Betfred Championship and League One Foundation of the Year in Manchester.
Named on a three-club shortlist drawn from the 25 Championship and League One clubs, Thunder’s accolade was sealed off the back of a bumper year of activity which continues to grow the grassroots game in the North East.
That included continued delivery of the RFL’s flagship Sky Try programme, the development of a new schools’ cup competition to provide further playing opportunities and an innovative new player development programme.
The Foundation’s activities have played a tangible role in growing participation numbers by 35% over the last five years.
Through Sky Try, the Thunder Community Project has enabled more than 1,300 youngsters to come into contact with rugby league.
At the request of Sky Try participants for more playing opportunities, 2019 saw the Foundation launch the Thunder Schools Cup in order to meet that demand.
Year seven teams of boys and girls from 16 schools, including three new squads, took part with a finals’ day held at Kingston Park.
The early leaders of Under-16 Division A are Newcastle East Griffins by virtue of having played more games.
They beat Westgate Hoopstars 58-4 and then South Tyneside 24-17 before being defeated by North Shields 78-12.
Shields also won their other game, downing South Tyneside 45-24 to go 2-0 for the season.
That is the same record Kenton Force have achieved after they saw
For many, this competition was their first ever contact with the sport.
In the grassroots junior game, SPARC Festivals were also launched during 2019 to offer an innovative outlet to encourage player development.
These consisted of modified games in which players earned points for their team by showcasing their own personal abilities and characteristics.
Commenting on the club’s award, Thunder and Newcastle Rugby Foundation chairman Mick Hogan said: “We are proud of the role the club and the Foundation have played in growing rugby league throughout the north east.
“The Foundation of the Year award recognises the huge role the staff at the club and Foundation, the Thunder players, the volunteers throughout the region and our many partners - including the RFL, sponsors and the various local authorities - play in this success.
“It is a massive team effort and shows what can be achieved when an ambitious and common vision is shared by everyone involved.
“We have an exciting few years ahead with the 2021 Rugby League World Cup opening in Newcastle and we will soon announce exciting plans and an even bigger investment in the community game.
“These are exciting times and we continue to press ahead in what is a generational project to establish rugby league as a mainstream sport in the region.”