Wales Rugby League are taking three matches to Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 27th July thanks to sponsorship from Cardiff International Pool.
The six-hour event will showcase three different levels of competitive Rugby League and will be headlined by the Kingstone Press Championship 1 fixture between South Wales Scorpions and London Skolars which will kick-off at 3pm.
Two hours earlier there will be an under 19 match between the same two sides while a Welsh Conference South match between Penallta based Valley Cougars and Gwendraeth Valley Raiders from Kidwelly kicks the day off at 11am.
Tag matches between local schools are also planned for half-time of the Scorpions v Skolars encounter.
It won’t be the first time that the Scorpions have played at the Arms Park. They took on Warrington Wolves reserves in a friendly there on the eve of Millennium Magic, losing 10-28.
Rugby League was first played at Cardiff Arms Park on June 8th 1996. A crowd of 6,078 were present to watch the old South Wales side beat Carlisle Border Raiders 37-18 before St Helens beat Sheffield Eagles 43-32 in what was Sheffield’s home Super League game but taken on the road. South Wales played four more games there in 1996 winning them all.
Just two other Rugby League games have been played at the Arms Park. Wales took on England there later in June 1996 losing 12-26 while another Super League game, in 1998 when Castleford beat Warrington 23-16, was also taken there as part of a nation-wide “on the road” round.
Chris True, General Manager of Cardiff International Pool operated by Parkwood Leisure on behalf of Cardiff Council, said: “Parkwood Leisure is delighted to be supporting Wales Rugby League and the South Wales Scorpions at this showcase event.
“Sport is a great way to stay healthy, active and fit and we hope that by supporting this event we can inspire new generations to take part in sport while also enjoying a great day out for the people of Cardiff.”
Mike Grady, Head coach of South Wales Scorpions, said: “This is fantastic news that South Wales Scorpions will be playing a match in Cardiff. The lads can’t wait to play on the 4G surface and I hope that it will be a fantastic day out.
“You will see some of the best that Rugby League in South Wales has to offer. The South Wales under 19s contributed all bar one of the players for the Wales under 19 side who recently won Bronze in the Commonwealth Championship while Gwendraeth Valley Raiders and Valley Cougars are both producing great players in West and East Wales respectively.
“I hope that this will the first of an annual event.”
WRL’s Chief Operations Manager Chris Thair said: “Cardiff was a fantastic destination for Rugby League in 2013 and we hope the public get behind the sport once again. The World Cup Opening Ceremony, held in Cardiff last year, in which Wales played Italy drew a record attendance for a Welsh International Rugby League fixture, 45,052.
“Research carried out by Repucom showed the direct economic impact for Cardiff due to hosting the opening ceremony was £8.5million. These are all fantastic figures which show the sport of rugby league and the city of Cardiff work well together. We thank Parkwood Leisure for their support in helping to secure the venue and know that all teams will provide those that attend with some unbelievable entertainment.”
