The Official Web Site of the Masters of Rugby League
Kia Ora and Welcome
"Masters Rugby League is the game for a lifetime,
for semi-retired players and officials."
Proud supporters of the development
of Masters Rugby League in New Zealand.
The Masters of Rugby League was formed for semi-retired and non-competitive players and officials to showcase their skills and abilities on the field without the risk of serious injury. The objective is to enjoy the game but still be able to get out of bed the next morning and go to work.
We have been playing Masters Rugby League in New Zealand and Australia for over 13 years and this has included an annual tournament at the end of each regular season. The tournaments have included over thirty teams and have been held each side of the Tasman. An International tournament will be held this year on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia with over fifty teams participating.
Masters Rugby League in New Zealand has experienced an increase in teams over recent years. This is due to increased awareness of this grade in clubs and has been helped also by the promotion of benefits of physical activity through SPARC's Push Play campaign.
Kevin Fitzpatrick reports from the launch of Masters Rugby League UK
There were former international stars a plenty dusting off their boots and turning back the clock at the launch of Masters Rugby League in the UK.
A non competitive version of the game for people aged over 35, Masters is hugely popular down under and after three exhibition games introduced the sport at Saddleworth Rangers yesterday, the signs were it will take off here as well.
It didn’t matter who won or lost, it was about taking part as teams representing Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Scotland, the North East and Students scored some classy tries with passing moves reminiscent of their heyday.
One of the oldest players to take part was 66 year old Ray Timson who used to play as an amateur for Dudley Hill and Sunderland. He said, “It was wonderful. It was a chance to run around in something a bit more meaningful than a training session. It’s ideal for more mature players to come back into the game.”
2008 Masters Action UK
Former Leeds star Barrie McDermot was among four former Great Britain props on show alongside Chris Burton, Hugh Waddell and Steve Molloy, and they were by no mean the only household names. He said, “It just fills the gap when you have to give up contact sport. It’s all about who you play with and against if it’s done in the right spirit as it was today.”
Andy Harland, RFL National Development manager, believes this is just the beginning. “There were some good ball skills out there today but it’s about participation rather than excellence. The players who were involved will now be ambassadors for Masters and spread the word. We’ll be arranging more games in the coming months, probably on a regional basis, with a view to playing a touring Masters team from Australia in the summer.”
For more information on Masters Rugby League or to get involved go to The Rugby Football League
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©Masters of Rugby League New Zealand Incorporated
Affiliated to International Masters of Rugby League
Email: postmaster@mastersrugbyleague.com
(Copyright
2008)