Source: WRLA

WRLA supports Batley Bulldogs trip of a lifetime

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When Batley Bulldogs Evie Kilburn and Millie Taylor and coach Craig Taylor jetted off to Australia on 10 September, they did so with the help and support of the Women’s Rugby League Association (WRLA).

After hearing that Evie and Millie had been invited to return to Australia in order to play for Australian school Champions Merrimac High, and take part in a tour of New Zealand, [and Craig had been invited to coach] WRLA decided to offer financial as well as moral support.

WRLA’s generous donation has gone a long way to help the girls and Craig take up this opportunity of a lifetime.

The sponsorship will see WRLA’s name and logo printed on all kit being made for the trip which will hopefully  promote participation in the women’s game in both this country and the southern hemisphere.

WRLA is the oldest women’s playing league in the world enabling women and girls, from the age of sixteen, to play rugby league during the traditional winter season.

WRLA Chair Steve Manning said: “On behalf of WRLA I would like to congratulate Craig and his two Batley Bulldogs Under 16 girls Evie and Millie, in being invited to play for Australian school Merrimac High this September. It is a chance of a lifetime for them to be involved in playing girls rugby league at the highest level and it’s a compliment to all the hard work done at Batley.

“When WRLA became aware of the opportunity the committee unanimously agreed that we should help to finance them for the trip and agreed from our limited funds to support them with £1200 sponsorship. We hope that will help in their goal to reach the financial figure to allow them all to achieve their dream. Craig helped WRLA with sponsorship earlier in the year and this was our chance to help him and the girls.

“The sponsorship will see the name WRLA and its logo emblazoned on their apparel for the trip and we hope that our own contribution will help to assist the growth and the ongoing participation of girls and clubs playing rugby league throughout the country, both in winter and summer, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. We are looking at both the small and big picture of girls and women’s rugby league and hope that by doing this we help to take our game forward.”

Craig Taylor said: “I know that it isn’t easy to get any sort of sponsorship these days giving the current economic situation of the country and my previous experience when getting funding together for last year’s Batley Bulldogs Girls Under 16’s tour of Australia. It was done and that was an experience.

“From that we have had the honour of both me and two of the players from that tour being invited to play for an Australian schools side which will create a bit of unprecedented history in the girls and women’s game throughout the world. This is a fantastic reward for two girls who have played from the age of 6 and who eat, sleep and breathe rugby league.

“I would like to thank WRLA for this sponsorship which will go a long way to reaching the financial goal we need to make this possible. We will all be proud to wear the clothing bearing the WRLA name and logo and can’t thank them enough for their support.”

Lead photo shows: Karen Lewis WRLA Treasurer, Craig Taylor, Millie Taylor, Evie Kilburn and Amanda ‘Wiggy’ Wigglesworth WRLA Public Relations Officer.

Report courtesy of WRLA