Building firm bringing joys of rugby to pupils

AN exciting partnership is helping to bring more rugby fun to the children of Rochdale.

Housebuilder Russell Homes is sponsoring Rochdale Hornets for the next two years and funding is being used to support the rugby club’s community activities in schools and, for the 2019 season, provide free season tickets for the borough’s children.

The partnership, which we announced back in December, was launched with youngsters from St Luke’s Primary School in Heywood on hand to help out.

Children from the school already enjoy weekly rugby sessions with Hornets’ coaches and also took part in a classroom lesson covering everything from how to build a house, health and safety on building sites, and a discussion about future careers in construction.

The partnership will see Hornets working with schools to spread a vital safety message – warning children away from accessing building sites – alongside fun rugby activities to encourage youngsters to get active and stay fit.

Coun Peter Rush, chairman of Rochdale Hornets, is delighted with the initiative.

He said: “It was wonderful to see the children so interested and animated, hearing all about the construction industry and the work Russell Homes is doing in our local area.

“Their questions were fantastic and showed just how engaged they are with the world around them, and some really seem keen to go into the industry when they are older.

“Events like this are so important for young people and we’re very pleased that the Russell Homes’ sponsorship of Hornets is helping the club to engage even more with the children of the borough.”

Russell Homes has a number of developments in the Rochdale area including Cedar Gardens at Claybank Avenue in Heywood, Greenbooth Village at Norden and, coming this year, Stubley Meadows

Schools in the Rochdale area which are interested in having a session are invited to email foundation@hornetsrugby.com at Littleborough.