BARLA, which has announced reduced fees for this year’s Club Membership, has also introduced a free monthly draw, effective from July, with cash prizes totalling £10,000 to be claimed during the next twelve months.
Membership fees have been pegged at £12.50 per annum for newly joining clubs, while there will be four draw winners each month, with prizes of £300, £150, £75 and £50 up for grabs.
In addition, at each of the September, December and March quarters there will be five cash prizes (of £500, £300, £150, £75, £50). And in June – the final month of the yearly club membership – there will be a bumper first prize of £1100 on top of the five existing prizes.
The first draw will be held on Thursday 22 July – subsequent draws will be made on the fourth Thursday of each month.
BARLA club membership includes free entry to all BARLA Cups, while players will be eligible for county and international honours.
Chair Sue Taylor said: “BARLA would like to thank those clubs that are members of the scheme and inform them of the special reduced fee of £12.50. This offer is also open to new members.
“The new – and free – monthly draw will financially assist all club members as they continue to recover from the impact of Covid 19.”
She added: “Invoices will be going out this month to existing clubs – upon payment, those and any new clubs joining will go into the hat for the first draw of the month this coming July.”
New clubs wishing to join the BARLA Members Club scheme should email secretary@barla.org.uk
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TEAM Colostomy UK aims to be back in action in August after a year’s inactivity caused by successive Covid-19 lockdowns.
The side, which was launched to serve evidence that having a stoma need not be a barrier to enjoying physical activity, will – subject to no further government changes to lockdown restrictions – take part in a three-team tournament, also involving Panthers Masters and Robbies’ Roos, on Saturday 14 August.
The event is being hosted by Panthers at their base at Weavering Warrors RUFC, Maidstone, Kent. Panthers have been launched recently by Mark Roughsedge, who is currently the head coach of the Scotland Wheelchair side after having been at the helm with England for several years. He said: “Having been a part of the first ever Team Colostomy UK fixture a few years back, it has been fantastic to see how much the organisation has grown in profile and, more importantly, developed to have such an impact on the many individuals that are a part of the team.
“We at the Panthers are growing rapidly too and it is fantastic to have the Purps as the opposition that will launch our first ever Masters side.”
The Roos’ Matt Turner is another veteran of Team Colostomy’s debut fixture. Turner, who is a driving force behind the Roos, who support the charity ‘Saying Goodbye’, said: “To be able to play for Team Colostomy UK has always been an honour but to be able to have your charity team play them is amazing!
“It will be strange for me personally, going against team mates and friends, but the reality is that this is going to be a great event where we can raise lots of money and awareness for two amazing charities.”
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Clock Face Miners have formed a Physical Disability Rugby League side. The players are pictured going through their paces in a recent training session.
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THE Castleford & Featherstone ARL holds its annual general meeting this evening (Monday 28 June).
The meeting, at Glasshoughton WMC, begins at 7.00pm.
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GO-AHEAD Colchester outfit Eastern Rhinos are in high spirits after fielding two sides – both of them victorious – nine days ago
The first team travelled to Hemel Stags and returned with a 30-16 triumph under their belts while the `A’ team accounted for Canvey 40-12 at Northern Gateway Sports Park.
Head coach Peter Le Marquand said: “In another very positive sign for the club, there were five Under 18s making their senior rugby debuts. And, to round the weekend off, Rhino graduate Rob Oakley made his full-time professional debut for London Broncos in the 46-12 Betfred Championship win over Whitehaven.”
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SEVERAL teams are contesting the newly-formed Ireland Women’s Rugby League, which kicked off last week with a fixture between Dublin City Exiles and Galway Tribeswomen.
The historic match went the way of the visiting Exiles, who prevailed 72-0.
Centre Stephanie Carroll claimed the landmark opening try, while stand-off Syphonia Pua also impressed.
Newly-appointed Ireland Women’s head coach John Whalley, who is assistant coach of Wigan Warriors’ Women’s side, was a keen observer and enthused: “There’s been a lot of interest and we are running two open day sessions for the national side – one in Ireland and the other in England – with more dates pencilled in if needed.”
He added: “The European Women’s Championship, scheduled for 2022, is fantastic news for the international game, and is something that we at Rugby League Ireland are really looking forward to being part of.
“It will be great to test ourselves; we aim to get two or three national team fixtures in before we get to the Euros to start to build partnerships and understandings.
“I’m really excited for the girls and seeing the talent we have available in Ireland. We want to promote our game to the widest possible audience by playing attractive, fast flowing Rugby League.”
Other sides taking part in the Ireland Women’s League this year include Athboy (who are due to meet the Tribeswomen in the near future), Carlow outfit Barrowcudas and Clew Bay Pirates.
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