OLDHAM RLFC met the Oldham Amateur League by invitation at the Royal Oak on Wednesday night to discuss a closer relationship for mutual benefit and to aid the growth and development of the sport in the borough.
It was all part of the overall plan to bring together the game’s leading local stakeholder organisations, such as Roughyeds, the Oldham Amateur League, the Oldham RLFC Players’ Association, Rugby Oldham (the Supporters’ Trust), the Oldham RL Heritage Trust and YEDS, the new Roughyeds’ Supporters’ Group for the benefit of rugby league as a whole in our town.
The Chief Executive of Oldham Council accepted an invitation to attend the inaugural meeting of the group, thus providing the new initiative with a civic involvement.
The next meeting of the above partners will take place later this month.
In the meantime, the individual organisations are going about their usual business and inviting the other groups to join them as further evidence of the relevance of a united front.
Roughyeds and the Heritage Trust were represented at the last monthly meeting of the Players Association, while Oldham RLFC vice-chairman John Roddy was present at Wednesday’s meeting of the local Amateur League executive and ten club reps.
What was later described as “a very positive” Q and A session demonstrated that, together, Roughyeds, the Amateur League, the local community clubs and the other stakeholders could further cement rugby league in the town for the benefit of future generations.
Said John Roddy, our vice-chairman and right-hand man of our chairman and owner Chris Hamilton:
”It was a great pleasure to be invited to the Oldham Amateur League meeting by Phil Bradbury and to be given the opportunity to outline not only Roughyeds’ plans for moving forward, but to discuss how together >we can each gain strength from our relationship.
”I must thank everyone for their hospitality and I look forward to meeting with the group later in the year, to ensure that positive steps are being taken."
John doubles up as executive chairman of CDX Security Ltd, the Warrington-based company that is Oldham RLFC’s main sponsor and last year’s winner of a “Best security provider in England” award.
Talking of sponsorship, the Players Association will sponsor Waterhead v Batley Boys on Saturday, May 21; St Anne’s v Shawcross on Saturday, June 18; and Saddleworth Rangers v Ince Rose Bridge on Saturday, July 16.
They will also make donations to the other open-age clubs in the borough, Hollinwood and Higginshaw, while seeking talks with Roughyeds about sponsorship moving forward, with particular reference to the first Betfred League One game against Keighley Cougars at the Vestacare Stadium on Sunday, March 27.
They will also be involved in the big double-header on Good Friday — the Standard Cup Final at Manor Park in the earlier part of the day, followed by the Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Betfred League One game at the Crown Oil Arena later in the day.
Former Hornets chairman Peter Rush is laying on hospitality, including a box and buffet for the Players’ Associations of both clubs, for a bargain £15 per head and the Oldham Players’ Association hopes to have good representation.
They are also staging a big upmarket social event of their own at The White Hart, Lydgate on Thursday, May 12 with a meal and top-class entertainment. For further information please contact Joe Warburton (07882848340) or John Watkins (07974612038).
A reminder that local National Conference games tomorrow (Sat) are as follows:
Div. One: Saddleworth Rangers v Skirlaugh.
Div.Three: St Anne’s v Batley Boys; Millom v Waterhead Wanderers.
