Sky Try -Sky Sports News

[Flaming balls]

Sky are teaming up with the Rugby Football League to launch Sky Try, a new grassroots initiative.

The scheme's target is to get 100,000 more young people playing the game, in a seven-year plan designed to raise the sport's popularity around the country.

Nigel Wood, chief executive of Rugby Football League, told Sky Sports News HQ: "It's a programme of engagement for young people to get involved in rugby league across coaching and playing.

"We know that most people come to our sport under the age of 12 and that is an area where we have to put in some considerable investment. Thanks to our association with Sky Sports, Sky Try is going to be a wonderful initiative.

"Everybody who wants to get involved - from the five-year-olds to adults - is welcome to participate. Hopefully it can do for our sport what Sky Ride has done for cycling.

"The age when most people are playing rugby league is 14 so we have to work really hard to retain them beyond that age. We must tailor our product and tailor our offers so that rugby is about having fun; we must make sure we have a full programnme of appropriate activity for all standards and all ages."

Sky Sports rugby league experts Terry O'Connor and Phil Clarke are throwing their weight behind the new initiative and are confident it will provide a massive boost for the game.

Speaking at the launch in Widnes, O'Connor said: "It's brilliant to have some of the best players from Super League down here coaching.

"What the support teaches you about values, about work ethics - the culture within rugby league - is vital. No matter how many times you get knocked down you get back up again. That's life and rugby league has got it all.

"To have the youngsters here with the smiles on their faces is key. We must keep that community spirit going and this investment can make a big difference."

Clarke said: "The most important things in life are to be healthy and to be happy. I think Sky Try offers everybody a chance to do that, from primary to secondary school. It also offers us the chance to grow touch rugby, that is a vital component for people to enjoy the sport without the full contact side of it.

"In essence, it's about fun and friendship. It's about an opportunity for everyone to get a taste of rugby league and form some long-lasting friendships."