Rochdale Hornets news

Fans, sponsors and members are invited to join the players and coaching staff at the Flying Horse immediately after the Oxford game this Saturday.

Following Saturday's game Hornets havefour games away from home as annual maintenance takes place at Spotland and they want to give the players the send-off they deserve.

At the final whistle there will be a short man-of-the-man presentation on the pitch and then the players will be heading to the Flying Horse for post-match food, where they will also get the coaches reaction from the match ahead of an evening’s entertainment.

Entertainment will be provided by live band 'Breaker', a four piece band who cover everything from popular '50s to modern day hits suitable for everyone.

There is no charge for the event and it is a great opportunity for supporters and members to have a social drink together.

A club spokesman said: "We look forward to seeing you all there from 7.30/8 onwards - get your taxis booked."

Foundation Update

It's been a busy few weeks for the Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation as the finals of Rochdale School Cup have been taking place following a term of coaching and some new programmes have come on board.

St Cuthbert’s triumphed over Matthew Moss in the Year 10 final in the curtain raiser to the Hornets versus Swinton game at Spotland last weekend and on Wednesday evening Wardle were crowned year seven champions.

This Saturday sees Falinge Park take on Matthew Moss in the year nine final (3.30pm KO) as part of the triple header Go Green Day celebrations at Spotland Stadium.

On Wednesday evening there was a Touch Rugby League taster at Spotland Stadium when over 30 male and female players of all abilities played in a friendly tournament on the main pitch.

The top three teams all featured Hornets players, with Danny Bridge captaining the winning team to glory. James Tilley's team finished second and Dean Mignacca's team third.

Play Touch Rugby League weekly sessions will be starting on Wednesday 1 June at the Hornets’ Nest at Mossway.

For more information email:

james.tilley@hornetsrugbyleague.com

Former Hornet Matt Calland has also been involved with the foundation as he passes on his expertise to Wheelchair Rugby League participants as part of a Sportivate funded programme being run in conjunction with Link4Life and Bradford Bulls Wheelchair Rugby League.

Participants are welcome to get in touch if they fancy a game a wheelchair rugby:

foundation@hornetsrugbyleague.com

With the weather improving and lighter nights upon us the foundation has now finalised its street rugby programme, which is funded by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, and will take place on estates across the town. The sessions are open to anyone and are an informal, non-contact way of socialising and keeping fit.

This coming half term (Tuesday and Wednesday) sees the latest Embed the Pathway talent sessions running at Matthew Moss.

The sessions are accredited by the RFL and are the first step on the pathway to playing rugby league for England.

Open to all club and school players aged between 12-16 coaches will work with you to refine yours skills and help you make the most of your potential.

Sessions are free of charge.

Breaking News

Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation, in partnership with Hopwood Hall Rugby Academy, have been accredited Tier 3 Academy Status for 2016. Further details will follow.

Hornets Ladies Team

The Hornets ladies team have a short break at present due to the re-arrangement of their game for the bank holiday weekend, but are on the lookout for reinforcements ahead of the season. Head coach Rob Rigby is looking to hear from anyone who is interested in taking up a new sport or returning to women’s rugby league after a break from the game.

If you wish to get involved in any of the activities the foundation is running or have any feedback get in touch:

foundation@hornetsrugbyleague.com

Away fixture date and venue changes

Rochdale Hornets away fixtures against Oxford and North Wales Crusaders have been changed due to pitch renovation works at Iffley Rd and the Racecourse Ground respectively.

Hornets will now face Oxford at Pennine Way, home of Hemel Stags, on Saturday 15 August, 3pm Kick Off (originally 16/ August).

The away fixture against North Wales Crusaders, scheduled for 14 June, will be moved to The Rock, home of Cefn Druids, with a 2.30pm kick off.

Hornets CEO Ryan Bradley said: "Oxford got in touch with us a while ago and said they were looking at alternative venues in Oxford as Iffley Rd needed an extended period of maintenance but they were priced out of the football club.

"Hemel have been kind enough to offer and its only 15 minutes from Oxford.

"North Wales originally wanted to play at Eirias Parc in Colwyn Bay, which is a fantastic facility, but they have since announced that it will be at the Rock, where they played a few games last year while the Racecourse is maintained.

"That Crusaders game is still to be confirmed by the RFL which will be done next week ."  

Hornets Nest

Thanks to early donations from members work has begun at Mossway and the site is now fit for use for some community programmes.

Contractors Rycrofts have done some preparation on the playing surface and volunteers have helped with general cleaning of the car park, driveway and changing block.

Long serving player John Cookson has given the electrics a once over and identified some urgent works that are needed and Hornets hope to have a set of rugby posts on site next week thanks to a donation.

The pitch is in desperate need of further cosmetic work, namely verti draining, and the electrical work needed will be a further expense as will footings for the posts.

The club has also identified a suitable modular building for the site which would act as the club room for when they can afford it.

A club spokesman said: "The Crowd Funding project is being developed but if you can donate now, no matter how little, please do so as we seek to develop our very own Hornets’ Nest."

Danny Jones Fund

A bucket collection from the Hornets versus Swinton Lions fixture raised over £450 for the Danny Jones fund, which the family have announced will go into trust for his five-month-old twins, Phoebe and Bobby.

The Hornets players (and physio) who played against Swinton agreed to match that donation from there match money, making a total of just over £900 to be donated.

Golf Day

Bookings are now being taken for the Rochdale Hornets Golf Day.

The day is being run by Red Cape Marketing at Rossendale Golf Club and bookings can be made online.

Teams and individuals are welcome and Hornets players will be allocated by standard to a team on a first come, first served basis. 

Kit tender committee, fan rep wanted

Hornets will shortly being going to tender for a kit supplier for 2016 season onwards.

As part of the tender process the club will be meeting various kit suppliers and are looking to form a small committee to help assess each suppliers bid.

The committee will be chaired by Ryan Bradley (Hornets CEO) and will also comprise of a representative from the playing squad and board of directors.

The club is also looking for a member to sit on the committee to help assess the bids and give their input on behalf of the membership.

A club spokesman said: "lIf you are interested in helping improve our retail offering then you can put yourself forward:"

info@hornetsrugbyleague.com

Time Served Update

The following members have recently volunteered their time for the good of the club and are now 'time served' members:

 

• Dave Scott - Gardening at Mossway
• Luke Harrison - Programme Design
• Glenn Kershaw - Programme Production
• Jon Bramall - Match Day Set Up
• Brian Belfield - Match Day Set Up
• Richard Hobson - Lottery Administration

If you can afford some time to help the club in any way please do not hesitate to get in touch:

info@hornetsrugbyleague.com

This week the club is in need of someone to paint the rugby posts on Sunday/Monday and someone with a flatbed wagon to help transport them to Bloomfield Road, where they will be used at the Blackpool Bash.

The club is also looking for more people to assist with tidying up/cleaning at Mossway and people who are IT literate to re-size player photographs for the website and update the statistics section.

Get in touch if you can help.