HUNSLET have been hailed for waiving their share of the gate receipts from the Challenge Cup derby showdown with Stanningley.

The Championship side visit the amateurs, based five miles away, in the second round tomorrow (Saturday, January 24).

In the Challenge Cup, away teams are entitled to half of the proceeds, however Hunslet said they wanted to support the community game.

And the senior club said their directors had opted to pay for admission rather than accept free hospitality from their neighbours.

Hunslet chief executive Neil Hampshire explained: “It’s vitally important that the professional game supports community clubs wherever possible as they are the key pathway for players coming into the sport.

“Quite simply, we would not have Rugby League without them. To that end, we at Hunslet are proud to announce that we are waiving our right to any income from our game against Stanningley.

“In addition, all of our club directors will be paying to attend rather than taking free hospitality. Let’s hope there is a sell-out crowd for the game and Stanningley also do great business in their clubhouse.”

Stanningley, based at the Arthur Miller Stadium and coached by former Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants player Ashton Golding (pictured), who was a junior there, will this year operate in National One, the second tier of the freshly-reorganised community game.

Acting chairman Dean Parker said: “We are massively thankful for Hunslet’s assistance and support in the build-up to the game – as well as during and after it. It (waiving their share of the gate receipts) is a great gesture.”