ITS all-go now on recruitment for the new Oldham RLFC women’s team following a constructive public meeting.
Before and since the meeting, the club has received several calls from interested people, some who wish to play in the new team and others, including men, who are interested in taking up one of the many backroom roles.
Typical of the women who are now showing an interest in playing rugby league is 27-year-old Chloe McLaughlin, from Mossley, who was present at our public meeting in order to register her interest.
Having played rugby union for the Manchester RUFC women’s team and Gaelic football for the Didsbury-based OISIN club, Chloe watched Rugby League on TV, liked it and immediately rang the RFL to ask about openings in the women’s game.
The RFL pointed her in the direction of our new women’s squad at Oldham, hence her appearance at our meeting, held at the Fox and Pine on Greaves Street in the town centre.
Chloe, who teaches physics in Manchester and Tameside, said: “Rugby League appeals to me and it’s interesting to know that the women’s game is proving so popular.”
The RFL has promised to help Roughyeds on recruitment, but we will be working hard ourselves on this by contacting local clubs, universities and other seats of learning where there are students looking for sporting action.
Our new team for women — minimum age 16 — will play at Melrose Playing Fields in Chadderton, which we now share with Hollinwood ARLFC on a 15-year lease with the RFL, owners of the large playing fields which are situated off Fields New Road.
Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton told the public gathering:
“This is part of our commitment to the new venture. We will be launching other teams as well, such as a Masters’ squad, but at the moment, and at this meeting, we are focusing on the women’s team.
“Women’s sport is very much on the up and we want to provide an opportunity for women to represent Oldham.
“There is no central funding for this but, through our Community Trust, we can apply for some financial help.”
There were varying degrees of competition in women’s rugby league, he said, but the deadline for entry this year had already gone by and, in any case, it was advisable to start at development level and aim for league competition further down the line.
The intention was to arrange games as soon as possible against opponents of a similar standard with a view to progressing up the ladder as time goes by.
Anyone aged over 16 who is interested in playing women’s rugby league for Oldham, or is interested in getting involved in one of the many off-field roles, is asked to ring the club on 07904 898177 or send a message via email to: enquiries@roughyeds.co.uk
Keep an eye on this website and on our social media channels for updates on this and the many other initiatives that are currently going on behind the scenes.
In the meantime, we can report that there will be lots going on, as well as the game, when derby rivals Swinton Lions come to the Vestacare Stadium on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
Roary’s Pride will be relaunched (more of that later in the week) and the RFL will be present with the three World Cups, men’s, women’s and wheelchair, which will be up for competition later in the year.
Take a selfie with the famous World Cups; it’s probably the only chance you’ll get.
Turnstiles open at 1pm and the trophies will be on show just inside the ground from 1.15pm to kick-off.
Also starting at 1.15pm will be a curtain-raiser involving Limehurst Lions and Saddleworth Rangers under-10s.
Why not get there early, look at the World Cups and give the under-10s of Limehurst and Saddleworth a cheer on a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.
