The organisers of a community rugby league festival have thanked sponsors, the National Police Health Scheme (NPHS) for helping them raise a staggering £11,000 for charity.
Great Britain Police Rugby played the Rugby League All Stars in a mixed-sex exhibition match in aid of four worthy causes.
The game was considered one of the first matches to feature mixed-sex teams.
It was the main event of a day of family fun and entertainment at Portico Vine ARLFC in St Helens on Saturday (21 June).
Rugby festival
DC Alex Daniels, of West Yorkshire Police, was part of the organising committee.
Alex said: “Without our sponsors, NPHS, we couldn’t have put the event on, and we certainly couldn’t have made such a fantastic amount of money.
“We’re really grateful for their support, and we hope the money raised makes a difference to those charities.
“Thank you also to Portico Vine for hosting us, and to their staff, who helped us on the day and in the build-up to it.
“There wouldn’t have been an event without them.”
The game featured famous names of the sport, including former Great Britain and England star Adrian Morley, the first British player to win the Grand Final in the domestic Super League and Australia’s NRL Grand Final.
Gareth Ellis, another ex-Great Britain and England player who won two Super Leagues, two Challenge Cups, and two World Club Challenges, and Denny Solomona, who was a cross-code international, playing rugby league for Samoa and rugby union for England, also played.
“There was some cracking exhibition rugby on display,” Alex said. “We put on a bit of a show for everyone who came to watch, and everyone had a good time.”
Exhibition
The day started with junior fixtures and was followed by a curtain-raiser between local masters teams before the main event.
The community fun day also included stalls, inflatable games, and food, as well as entertainment into the evening and raffles.
The day was in aid of four charities: the MND Association, Life For A Kid, the Steve Prescott Foundation, and the Doyle-Phillips Foundation.
Alex said: “Once the last couple of auctions finish, we’ll have raised around £11,000.
“It’s a fantastic total, which we’re really happy with.
“Thank you to everyone who came to support us and made it a great occasion.”
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