On Saturday 22nd October the beginnings of a new Open Age Rugby League team could be found on a South Liverpool playing field, locally and affectionately known as The Mystery.

The first training session of Liverpool City RL, led by Ian Balshaw, was attended by a good number of Liverpool based lads who had previously shown interest in playing Rugby League in Liverpool. The session, which focused around a match, allowed the lads time and space to get to know one another and re-establish themselves with the core skills and laws of the games.

“There was fantastic enthusiasm for all who turned up and took part on Saturday. Lads who wanted to play and develop Rugby League in their city. One lad was allowed to leave work for a couple of hours to come and train.” Commented Tom Sumner, organiser and participant of Liverpool City. Ian Balshaw backed this up, “We were made up with the response we got from the first press release and letters we sent out. Saturday’s session is a fantastic foundation to build on and with confirmation of more lads turning up on the 5th the only way is up.”

The next session is to be held on Saturday 5th November 2011 and has had interest from Sky Sports News in covering the session and the start up of the team. It has also been arranged for all participants to head to the Fly in the Loaf public house after training, where both 4 Nations games will be shown.

For information on Liverpool City RLFC and the open sessions please head to www.pitchero.com/clubs/liverpoolcity .

You can also contact Ian Balshaw on 07592342806 or ianrbalshaw@gmail.com, alternatively, Tom Sumner on 07809728218 or tom.sumner1@gmail.com .

On Saturday 22nd October the beginnings of a new Open Age Rugby League team could be found on a South Liverpool playing field, locally and affectionately known as The Mystery.

The first training session of Liverpool City RL, led by Ian Balshaw, was attended by a good number of Liverpool based lads who had previously shown interest in playing Rugby League in Liverpool. The session, which focused around a match, allowed the lads time and space to get to know one another and re-establish themselves with the core skills and laws of the games.

“There was fantastic enthusiasm for all who turned up and took part on Saturday. Lads who wanted to play and develop Rugby League in their city. One lad was allowed to leave work for a couple of hours to come and train.” Commented Tom Sumner, organiser and participant of Liverpool City. Ian Balshaw backed this up, “We were made up with the response we got from the first press release and letters we sent out. Saturday’s session is a fantastic foundation to build on and with confirmation of more lads turning up on the 5th the only way is up.”

The next session is to be held on Saturday 5th November 2011 and has had interest from Sky Sports News in covering the session and the start up of the team. It has also been arranged for all participants to head to the Fly in the Loaf public house after training, where both 4 Nations games will be shown.

For information on Liverpool City RLFC and the open sessions please head to www.pitchero.com/clubs/liverpoolcity .

You can also contact Ian Balshaw on 07592342806 or ianrbalshaw@gmail.com, alternatively, Tom Sumner on 07809728218 or tom.sumner1@gmail.com .

I was not arguing LOL if you read, I was unsure about the response from our friend from Liverpool City RL was agreeing expansion should only be in the North. Of course it is great to see expansion in Liverpool, I said when I was involved in Under 16 RL we used to meet at Huyton's RL ground in their board room, it was sad to see that club go as it is with many.

But clubs like Oxford RL have now been going for a long time with a great history www.pitchero.com/clubs/oxfordcavaliersrlfc/ any new club starting must be given every encouragement and especially from their nearest Super League team if they have one, I am sure they can help with better kit rates etc and by sending players along to training sessions.

I was not arguing LOL if you read, I was unsure about the response from our friend from Liverpool City RL was agreeing expansion should only be in the North. Of course it is great to see expansion in Liverpool, I said when I was involved in Under 16 RL we used to meet at Huyton's RL ground in their board room, it was sad to see that club go as it is with many.

But clubs like Oxford RL have now been going for a long time with a great history www.pitchero.com/clubs/oxfordcavaliersrlfc/ any new club starting must be given every encouragement and especially from their nearest Super League team if they have one, I am sure they can help with better kit rates etc and by sending players along to training sessions.

Wasn't saying saying no to expansion (I'm all for getting people playing it as a RFL staff member working within the community). I was saying it's sensible to expand the [uamateur[/u game [uin Liverpool[/u, as I think the quote I responded to mentioned expanding the professional game in the City.


It will just be the North West Merit League, fairly relaxed environment to introduce players to the competitive atmosphere of Rugby League. Remember Liverpool City RL is aimed at getting people based in Liverpool playing the game, we won't be pushing those players out of the starting 17 so that more experienced players (from out of the city) can play and get the win.

Offside Monkey - I totally agree with your point about Rugby Union, I think our, as in Rugby League's, main downfall is presence and promotion of the sport, clubs and ethics. I also believe there to be a gulf between Union and League within the City as well, most probably through tradition than anything else! But it's slowly being bridged!

Wasn't saying saying no to expansion (I'm all for getting people playing it as a RFL staff member working within the community). I was saying it's sensible to expand the [uamateur[/u game [uin Liverpool[/u, as I think the quote I responded to mentioned expanding the professional game in the City.


It will just be the North West Merit League, fairly relaxed environment to introduce players to the competitive atmosphere of Rugby League. Remember Liverpool City RL is aimed at getting people based in Liverpool playing the game, we won't be pushing those players out of the starting 17 so that more experienced players (from out of the city) can play and get the win.

Offside Monkey - I totally agree with your point about Rugby Union, I think our, as in Rugby League's, main downfall is presence and promotion of the sport, clubs and ethics. I also believe there to be a gulf between Union and League within the City as well, most probably through tradition than anything else! But it's slowly being bridged!