The Hornet

HORNETS TURNERS DANCE SQUAD LAUNCHED The Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation and Turners Dance Studios have teamed up to launch a new project to attract young people into dance. The Hornets Turners Dance Squad will aim to engage new participants to weekly street dance classes, held at Turners Dance Studio in Rochdale. The classes will be led by experienced practitioners who are skilled in leading enjoyable and accessible dance sessions. The project was made possible with the Foundation securing Local Pilot CIF Funding through Your Trust, Action Together, and Sport England - it brings together two of the oldest and most respected organisations in Rochdale. The Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation is the charitable arm of the rugby league club. It's designed to create positive, accessible, and inclusive environments for participation in physical activity in the Rochdale Borough, regardless of people's age, ability or circumstances. Turners Dance Studios provides classes for all ages and levels, from beginners to advanced and their students have appeared on Britain's Got Talent, Blue Peter, Got to Dance, Live and Kicking, and Can you do it on TV. The studio has also won many British and European Dance Championships. Chris Tomlinson, Business Development Director at the Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation commented: “The Hornets Turners Dance Squad is a new approach to meeting the needs of the community and engaging with a new demographic of participants who are currently not taking part in any physical activity. The feedback we have received, that has shaped our strategic direction, is to introduce non-rugby league activity to engage with a broader cross-section of the community. Turners Dance Studios is one of the oldest and most highly respected dance schools in Rochdale; I have been speaking to them for a while now and I’m really excited to see this project come to fruition.” Paul Jones, Senior Dance Instructor at Turners Dance Studios, is looking forward to teaching new students who haven’t danced before: “Turners Dance Studios would like to thank Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation for asking us to be involved in an amazing project. Turners is a fun, friendly and vibrant place to learn to dance. We are always ahead of the game with new and current styles of dance. Turners is a great place to make new friends while learning to dance and keep fit!” The first Hornets Turners Dance Squad class will be Thursday 28th August 6.15pm – 7.15pm and will continue each Thursday at the same time. The project is aimed at boys and girls between 8 – 16 years old. Each class is £5 per person and is delivered at Turners Dance Studios (34 George Street, OL16 2DA).

HORNETS LAUNCH COMMUNITY RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM Rugby league in Rochdale has received a huge boost, with the Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation launching a new community playing side. The Rochdale Hornets Community team will play their first game on Saturday 23 July, in the merit league, with the aim The team is managed by a group of volunteers and chaired by Stephen Strand. He commented: “I’m really happy to have formed a new open-age rugby league team, in Rochdale. I spoke with Steve Kerr and Chris Tomlinson about the idea of a new team, in the borough, and they were on board straight away with the idea. They've helped and advised throughout, to make this idea possible. "The team is proud and honoured to be part of the Rochdale Hornets family; the response from lads who haven’t played rugby for a few years has been excellent. I’d like to thank coaches Lee Wilson, Damien Mitchell, and Neil Connolly for their efforts in putting on good training sessions for the lads. The team have their first game against Portico Vine of St Helens on Saturday - and the lads can’t wait.” The community team is the third team under the Rochdale Hornets umbrella and joins the Women’s and Wheelchair teams that compete in the Rugby Football League’s competitions. Chris Tomlinson, the Foundation’s Business Development Director, is enthusiastic about the new venture: “Stephen came to us with a goal of creating a new club to provide more opportunities for participation, ranging from junior grades all the way through to open-age. "As an organisation we share that same vison and we want to achieve the same things. Ultimately we want to see more people playing rugby league, so we jumped at the chance to help. There’s been a considerable amount of effort behind-the-scenes to get the new team to this position. We believe this is a significant step forward for rugby league in Rochdale.” The team will play in the famous Rochdale Hornets colours of red, white, and blue and Hornets CEO Steve Kerr explained why the club were so enthusiastic to offer support: “Our strategy for growth is based on increasing participation and spectatorship, so to welcome a community open-age team as part of the Rochdale Hornets brand is incredibly exciting. "I’ve had the privilege of meeting with some of our new players and coaches - their enthusiasm and passion for the game was fantastic. Whether you're returning to the game or taking it up for the first time there’s an opportunity for you, and I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing in the community. "I’d like to thank Supro Sport for sponsoring the playing kit along with Premier Kia and Russell Homes, our principal partners. As an inclusive club that welcomes all faiths, backgrounds, and abilities, I’d like to welcome our newest members and I congratulate Chris, Stephen and the team for taking this huge step forward with us.” For anyone interested in joining the team, either as a player, coach or volunteer please contact Stephen Strand - stephen_strand@aol.com. Training is every Wednesday and Friday at 6.30pm at Firgrove Playing Fields, Belfield Lane, Rochdale, OL16 3AY. Rochdale Hornets Community team will face Portico Vine in St Helens on Saturday 23rd July, 2pm kick-off. All fans are welcome to watch the team make their debut. For general enquires please contact the club at info@hornetsrugbyleague.com.

PAT MORAN JOINS HORNETS FOR REMAINDER OF SEASON Rochdale Hornets is delighted to announce the arrival of Newcastle’s Pat Moran, on a season-long loan. The prop forward is no stranger to Rochdale having played 36 times for the club, between 2017 and 2019, when on loan from Warrington Wolves. Since leaving Wire the 24-year-old has had spells at Widnes Vikings, SO Avignon, and London Broncos – before making the move to Tyneside last November. He also joins Gregg McNally as the second Ireland international at Hornets, having made his debut in 2019. Head coach Matt Calland is excited by the acquisition. He said: “I’m really pleased we’ve got Pat in before the deadline this week. “He’s been up at Newcastle and not getting much game time, so we saw an opportunity to bring him in and it’s great to have got it done. “He’s previously played for the club, when on dual-registration with Warrington, so he knows what we’re about and was really keen to come back and get some game time. “This gives us plenty of competition now in the pack, which is vital at this stage of the season.” Hornets Chairman Andy Mazey is equally pleased. He said: “We’re delighted to have Pat on board with us, heading into the business end of the campaign. “I know Matt is really looking forward to working with a player who has predominately operated at the higher echelons of the Championship, and is also a full-time athlete. “He also knows what it means to wear the Hornets jersey, having played for us before. “I’d personally like to thank my good friend Jordan Robinson, over at Thunder, for the support on this deal and Denis Betts for allowing it to happen.” Moran will come straight in contention for Sunday’s game against London Skolars (3pm kick-off).

Agreed.

HOW TO GET FREE TICKETS FOR HORNETS VS SWINTON With a return to a 1600 capacity confirmed, for next Sunday’s game with Swinton, we are delighted to offer a Community Counts ticket incentive. The fixture has all the makings of a classic with currently just one place separating the two Lancashire sides in Betfred League 1, as both teams aim to win promotion to the Championship. This new offer will see coaches and juniors from community clubs receive free entry to the crunch Round 15 tie with The Lions – on Sunday 31 July. Once your community club registers, you’ll receive a unique code allowing you to add an adult ticket to your basket for £10 with KIDS still FREE! To book simply order via tickets@hornetsrugbyleague.com or ask for Danny on 01706 648004. We’ll need the lead person's booking information and tickets will be emailed to you. Any community groups looking to reward their Juniors are invited to get in touch. Rochdale Hornets vs Swinton Lions is sponsored by Rochdale Council and Old Rochdalians.

HORNETS SUMMER CAMPS NOW FULLY BOOKED The summer camps delivered by the Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation have proven to be a huge hit with young people and are now fully booked. The Foundation is hosting it’s popular camps across 3 weeks in August at Balderstone Park. The multi-sport sessions will be packed with fun, engaging and inclusive activities suitable for boys and girls of all playing abilities - aged 7 to 12 years old. Chris Tomlinson, Business Development Director for the Foundation, said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to our camps and we must thank the Holiday Activity and Food coordination team for their funding and support which allows us to offer the camps free of charge to our participants. "Due to demand we’ve even extended our programme this year and we’re looking forward to introducing so many young people to the Hornets family.”

ROCHDALE HORNETS MATCH OPERATIONS AND TICKETING INITIATIVES Rochdale Hornets provide the following update for fans, and spectators, ahead of the London and Swinton fixtures in July. Our matchday operating procedures will change, as we no longer occupy the ground floor office and shop located in the main stand. The club's main office will remain as Box 12 during the week, but will be vacated for matchdays. We will therefore operate a cash and card ticketing desk from reception, which will be clearly marked on arrival for fans wishing to purchase tickets on the day. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online or in advance to avoid any unnecessary queues on matchday. We cannot accept cash payments on the turnstile - and you must have a valid ticket to enter the game. Hospitality will be unaffected by the changes and we will be continue to receive fans through reception. Unfortunately we are no longer able to offer a stadium store, but are working hard to find solutions for a temporary or pop-up shop in the near future. Fans wishing to purchase merchandise can do so via our Technical partner Supro Sport and by visiting our online store . London Skolars – Sunday 24 July. The anticipated crowd is likely to be under 920 and therefore we will only operate half a main stand. Fans are welcome to join us in the lounge for refreshments, as normal, and we look forward to welcoming all fans. The turnstiles will be open from 2pm. Swinton Lions - Sunday 31 July. Following extensive discussions with RAFC, the capacity of the main stand will be reinstated to its capacity of 1600. Both Turnstiles 1-3 and 4-6 will be open with the relevant turnstile printed on your ticket. We are aiming to fill the main stand and as its likely to be a busy game, we remind all fans to buy online. Hospitality for the Swinton game is now SOLD OUT but fans will be able to access the lounge after the final whistle. Refreshments will be available to those in the main stand via the usual main stand kiosks. Car parking is limited and remains on a first come first serve basis. With an increase in capacity we are delighted to offer our two ticketing initiatives to local community clubs and groups: 1. FREE juniors and FREE support staff tickets. This means that your coaches and volunteers can bring their team at zero cost. To book simply order via tickets@hornetsrugbyleague.com or ask for Danny on 01706 648004. We’ll need the lead person's booking information and tickets will be emailed to you. 2. Discounted tickets for all your club members. Once your community club registers, you’ll receive a unique code allowing you to add an adult tickets to you basket for £10.00 with KIDS still FREE! Any community groups looking to reward their Juniors are invited to get in touch. We look forward to welcoming you all back to the Crown Oil Arena as we push for promotion. Please email info@hornetsrugbyleague.com if you have any questions.

Three Hornets team in action today!

Wow…..what a thread that is, some big brave keyboard warriors at full throttle RAFC Blue is clearly making it up as he / she is going along it’s hilarious and clearly desperately hammering google for links and bits of information to try to support fabricated and malicious BS and lies he / she is peddling about Hornets and people connected. It seems like some kind of relentless scatter gun approach to throw as much mud as possible in the hope something might actually stick, but it just comes across as pathetic hence only two or three regulars engage with it and one of them has been exposed as an Internet troll here recently. Imagine wasting so much of your spare time on little old Hornets. Clearly something has got them rattled, but empty vessels often make the most noise.

Another pathetic and child like response. Still haven’t answered the question…..

I’ve endeavoured to answer everything you have asked here from facts and information already in the public domain which 99% of Hornets fans would already know. No answer from you again yet again to the question I’ve repeatedly asked? I will try again……..what is your problem/ issue with the Hornets board / Chairman? Your either a Dale message board warrior or someone with an issue / agenda trying to destabilise a club you claim to support……which is it?

Still ducking my question….. Your either not the sharpest or mischief making so I will again spell it out to you with facts as best I can. The consortium agreed to take on the club (we approached them) and that comes with all its legal and financial liabilities and a huge commitment which the fan owned model could no longer meet. The club was effectively worth nothing but the consortium not only agreed to take it on and give it a future but committed to funding a competitive team on the field and developing it off field which it’s clear they are doing. As it was a company conversation it needed a limited company to convert the society into. Standard set up of limited company is generally 100 shares and usually valued at £1 per share. As there are five investors / owners on equal basis they clearly decided to divide the share capital pro rata (20% x 5). The club has no property or assets so is effectively worthless. Anyone who puts their hard earned and valuable time into a rugby league club for no gain (and be clear having known directors and chairmen of the past there is no gain and they are a cash cow) deserves respect in my opinion. Had you bothered attending the fan engagement sessions at the time or voted you would know the answers to all the questions your now asking. For accuracy the facts as reported at the time….. Rugby league: Hornets’ supporters unanimously back ownership change 10 December 2019 Steve Kerr, Rochdale Hornets Chief Executive Members of Rochdale Hornets have voted to transfer ownership of the club to a consortium led by Andy Mazey. www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/131417/rugby-league-rochdale-hornets-could-become-a-privatelyowned-club A total of 136 members - 69% of the total membership - all voted to back the move, with no opposition. It is the first step towards the group taking control of Hornets, with a further vote now required to verify the move on 23 December as part of the supporter-owned regulations that the club currently operates under. Mazey – who will take a 20% stake alongside fellow directors and owners Tony Sheridan, Richard Heyes, Peter Smith and current club president Paul Ormerod – has hosted a series of fan engagement sessions to outline their vision for Hornets. Each have been positively received, with the club now hopeful of formally completing the change of ownership early January.