The Salford Red Devils Foundation in Partnership with Eccles Sixth Form College
Salford Red Devil’s Foundation is a registered charity that inspires the community through sport, health and educational delivery across Salford, Greater Manchester and beyond.
The Club
HISTORY & SUCCESS
The Salford Red Devils are a professional rugby league club and one of only 12 teams who play in the Super League. Formed in 1873, they have won six Championships and one Challenge Cup. Their home ground since 2012 has been the AJ Bell Stadium in Barton-upon-Irwell, before which they played at the Willows in Weaste. After a hugely successful 2019 season the Red Devils contested their first ever Grand Final appearance at Old Trafford, with a following of over 10,000 supporters attending the show-piece event.
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WHAT THEY DO
Salford Red Devils Foundation is well established, forming in 2004. They have an experienced, motivated and highly qualified delivery team who deliver 10s of 1000s of hours of high-quality activities every year. The team includes qualified teachers, international rugby league coaches, dance co-ordinators and ex-professional players, who are active every day of the week. Delivery ranges from schools coaching for boys and girls, coach education, to men’s health campaigns, education initiatives, karate, wheelchair rugby, learning disability super league and a fully-fledged dance academy performing at showcase events such as the Challenge Cup Final.
Supporting the delivery team is the Red Devils brand, which includes dozens of player visits by international first team stars. Official club mascot, Dr Devil, is often seen at events promoting local good causes and campaigns. At the centre of all these activities is a commitment to employ local people and utilise local suppliers, as we wish to give the best opportunities for local resident’s and their families in our community.
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The partnership
Salford Red Devils Foundation and Eccles Sixth Form College are proud to reveal an exciting new partnership. This collaboration will see the highly successful Category Player Development Academy run a bespoke programme that will be delivered to our students. Whilst at the academy they will receive the highest quality rugby league coaching.
The partnership will see two teams entering the college leagues, one in the top tier National League and one in the Northwest competition. A tailored training and education package will see activities delivered on-site at Eccles Sixth Form College. Students will also take part in sessions and games hosted at the AJ Bell stadium. Here, students will get to experience what being a professional rugby league player is really like.
Head of Eccles Sixth Form College, Jane Roebuck commented: “We are delighted to form this partnership with Salford Red Devils Foundation, as it will provide an unrivalled academic pathway to elite level rugby for the City of Salford and beyond. We take great pride in our students’ successes and look forward to a successful future with the Salford Red Devils Foundation.”
Foundation Manager, Neil Blackburn explained: “Our youth development has a major focus on ensuring that all of our players have access to an outstanding education. Teaming up with a college that has provided educational excellence for over 50 years is a major bonus. This year represents the start of a new reserve team at Salford Red Devils. We believe that this new partnership will play an integral role in creating a tangible pathway to professionalism for our students. In addition to playing opportunities, we want to offer players optional career pathways in education or apprenticeships. Eccles Sixth Form College will be a strong partner for the club in supporting these opportunities.”
The partnership will bring a multitude of exciting opportunities to the college.
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