Staff from the Salford City Reds Foundation will be taking part in the very first Manchester Urbanathlon this coming sunday to raise the profile of the Reds in Manchester! This 10km urban assault course takes place in East Manchester, finishing in Phillips Park via numerous obstacles including the river Medlock.

The event is the first of its kind in this country and will no doubt grow to be a permanent fixture in the local sporting calendar!

For more information about the event or to even take part please visit www.urbanathlon.co.uk

Salford City Reds braved the windy conditions on Bank Holiday Monday to test the fitness of young people at the Annual Winton Festival at the Brown Cow pub in Eccles.

Development Officers Seb Rowe and Tom Haworth were in attendance to put children through a range of activities and spread the word about healthy lifestyles. Exercises ranged from the sit and reach test which measured flexibility, to the hand grip dynamometer, which tests a person’s grip strength, a key attribute of successful rugby players. The community team also demonstrated their versatility by refereeing the annual football tournament, which involved all the children that had taken part in the fitness tests.

One child remarked “the fitness tests were really good. I didn’t know how stiff I was before and now know I should stretch a lot more. I also know a lot more about eating better and getting more exercise. I can’t wait to go to the Salford match now and see what their fitness is like!”

Seb Rowe, Development Officer at the Reds said “Today was a great opportunity for Salford City Reds to engage young people in the local community. It is important that people get the message about healthy lifestyles at a young age. This provides them with the knowledge to better manage their own lifestyles years into the future.”

Each of the children that took part were rewarded with a Golden Angels family ticket for the Reds match against Sheffield Eagles on Friday 6^th June.

Tonight the Willows hosts the annual Salford schools finals. 3 matches will be played on the hour with the first game kicking off at 4pm. Fixtures as Follows

year 7 Hope vrs Ambrose Barlow

year 8 Buile Hill vrs Walkden

Year 9 Buile Hill vrs Walkden

All are welcome and entry is via the Weaste Lane entrance - admission (plus raffle entry) will be £1 for adults and 50p for under 16s, with all funds going to Salford Schools Association.

Any questions just call the Reds Foundation on 0161 737 5515

Salford City Reds and Greater Manchester Police have teamed up to offer children additional opportunities to play sports in the Winton area.

From Wednesday 9th April young people will be able to take part in a number of multisport activities at Winton Park on a weekly basis. The activities will provide children with the opportunity to play games, improve skills, make new friends and generally have fun. Not only will children get the chance to experience rugby coaching from the Reds community development team, but they can also take part in a number of other team games such as football, cricket and basketball.

Police Sergeant John Rowson said “As part of the Salford divisions drive to reduce anti social behaviour we are looking not only at enforcement but also to promote activities which divert young people into more positive ways of spending their time. The partnership with Salford City Reds is an exciting way of showing young people what they can achieve by using their time constructively and becoming involved in sports.”

The activities, which begin on 9^th April will run every Wednesday from 4 – 5.30pm and are open to boys and girls from age 7 to 16. Seb Rowe, Community Rugby League Development Officer at Salford City Reds said “Now that the days are getting longer it is a great opportunity for children to get back outside and involved in sporting activities. The sessions start at 4pm and are finished by 5.30 which means children can come after school and still get home in time for tea!”

For more information contact PCSO Nigel Kirk on 0161 856 5317 or Seb Rowe on 0161 737 5515

Reds community development officers will be taking the long trip north in to Scotland tomorrow as part of our committment to developing the game at grass roots. The Reds have had a link with Monkland Warriors ARLFC for a number of years, with the Airdrie based team travelling down to the Willows on a number of occasions.

 As part of their committment to the Reds (travelling hundreds of miles for matches at the Willows) this weekend will see the club deliver coaching & skills sessions to local youngsters, who are both new and experienced with regards to rugby league. The club is headed up by Reds fan Les Obre who works behind the scenes at the club against all odds.

Salford City Reds in partnership with the RFL are hosting some taster rugby sessions at Parrenthorn Sports Centre, Prestwich. The sessions aimed at 10 to 14 year olds will take place on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th March, 10-12 noon. Salford City Reds development officers will be on hand to teach children new skills and play fun games.

Participation is free, and you can even win some prizes just for taking part. The sessions will take place on astro turf , so trainers and tracksuit are all children need. Parrenthorn Sports Centre (Parrenthorn High School) is located on Heywood Road, Prestwich, M33 2AA

Should you wish to find out more information about these activities you can contact Seb Rowe on 07921 078 103. If you want to learn more about Rugby League Development in Bury and Bolton you can contact Alan Kilshaw on 07874308426.

The Reds and the Service Area have been working hard to increase the number of coaches, match officials and administrators involved in the game recently. If you are involved with schools or club rugby please spread the word about these courses. Or indeed if you are new to the game and just want to get involved make contact with us via the details below.

Please find below details of 2 courses being subsidised by the Service Area that we would like local people to get involved with:

Salford Rugby League Service Area

Volunteer and coach education coursesApplication form Course: Safe guarding and protecting Children Date: 26^th March 2008Venue: To be confirmed (definitely in Salford)Time: 6pm-9pm

Cost: £15 (normally £30)

Max numbers: 20

Delivery organisation: Sports coach UK

This course is aimed at all coaches and volunteers working with any one under the age of 18.

In order to secure your place on this course, you must return this form fully completed with a £15 cheque made payable to Salford Rugby League Service Area to:-

Neil Blackburn, Rugby department, Pendleton College, Dronfield Road, Salford, M6 7FR.

The deadline for applications will be Thursday 20^th March 2008

Please complete in block capitals

Name: ______________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

______________________________________

____________________ Post code__________

Tel No. Home_____________ Mob________________

Amateur Club ______________________________________

Signed ______________________________________

Date ______________________________________

Once the form is received a member of staff will call to confirm your place. Places are on a first come first serve basis. If you don’t secure a place on this course, we will keep your name on file and write to you with future course dates. Payments are non refundable or transferable.

If you haven’t received confirmation or would like any more information please contact Neil 07793766283 or 01617365074. Alternatively you can email neil.blackburn@pendcoll.ac.uk.

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Salford Rugby League Service AreaVolunteer and coach education coursesApplication form Course: Equity in your coaching Date: 23^rd April 2008Venue: Pendleton CollegeTime: 6pm-9pmCost: £15 (normally £30)

Max numbers: 20

Delivery organisation: Sports coach UK

This course is aimed at coaching staff working with players of all ages. A must have certificate.

In order to secure your place on this course, you must return this form, fully completed with a £15 cheque made payable to, Salford Rugby League Service Area to:-

Neil Blackburn, Rugby department, Pendleton College, Dronfield Road, Salford, M6 7FR.

The deadline for applications will be Friday 18^th April 2008.

Please complete in block capitals

Name: ______________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

______________________________________

____________________ Post code__________

Tel No. Home_____________ Mob________________

Amateur Club ______________________________________

Signed ______________________________________

Date ______________________________________

Once the form is received a member of staff will call to confirm your place. Places are on a first come first serve basis. If you don’t secure a place on this course, we will keep your name on file and write to you with future course dates. Payments are non refundable or transferable.

If you haven’t received confirmation or would like any more information please contact Neil 07793766283 or 01617365074. Alternatively you can email neil.blackburn@pendcoll.ac.uk.

Thanks