More than 100 rugby league teams from around the country will be heading to Newcastle to play in a festival celebrating the sport on the weekend the city hosts the Rugby League World Cup opener.
The Rugby League World Cup says there are still spaces for junior, school and adult teams to sign up for the Squads on the Tyne festival, which forms part of the wider tournament and offers the chance to play on the same Kingston Park pitch as international players this October.
Squads on the Tyne features primary school, secondary schools, junior clubs and mixed-sex touch rugby teams playing at Kingston Park, Newcastle, which will host three Rugby League World Cup games in the men's tournament. The tournament was initialy set to be held in 2021 but was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more: How the Rugby League World Cup will kick off in Newcastle
Melanie Magee, head of the Newcastle Rugby Foundation, said: “Entries are increasing on a daily basis as schools return and junior rugby league clubs start to wind down their season. All can enjoy a weekend in Newcastle playing rugby league before going on to watch the best in the world, at two great venues, in our wonderful city.
“There is still plenty of time for teams to enter. Involvement is free and the festival will showcase the truly inclusive nature of rugby league with physical disability rugby league, mixed sex touch rugby, Masters RL (Over 35s) and boys and girl’s categories.”
The three-day festival kicks off on Friday October 14, a day before the Rugby League World Cup opener, between England and Samoa at St James' Park in the men's tournament.
Teams from the region’s primary and secondary schools in action at Kingston Park - the home of Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle Thunder - on the Friday, along with masters over-35s rugby league teams from across the country. Saturday will see junior clubs and touch rugby in action, before Rugby League World Cup kicks off with England and Samoa opening the men’s competition at St James' Park.
The festival will conclude on the Sunday, as the junior girls' teams take to the field at Kingston Park before Scotland Men taking on Italy in the afternoon.
Rugby League World Cup 2021’s Social Impact Director, Tracy Power, said: “The festival will be a wonderful celebration of rugby league and form a key part of an incredible opening weekend of the tournament. Rugby league truly is a sport for everyone and to have this festival happening on the same weekend that two of the opening tournament fixtures are in the region
“There is still time for teams to register to take part and play on the same pitch that will be played on by some of the best players in the world during the tournament. I encourage anyone who is interested in taking part to register their interest now and be part of the biggest, best and most inclusive World Cup in the tournament’s 127 year history.
“Our thanks go to North of Tyne Combined Authority for their support of the festival and to the Newcastle Rugby Foundation for organising what will be a huge, inclusive and very enjoyable event for well over 100 teams from across the UK.”
Registration for the Squads on the Tyne festival is free. For more information, visit https://www.rlwc2021.com/squads-on-the-tyne
Head to https://tickets.rlwc2021.com/ to buy Rugby League World Cup tickets including England v Samoa at St James' Park and three matches at Kingston Park.
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