The Sussex Merlins are the newest Rugby League club in the country. Formed in early 2009, they are currently playing in the summer London League and have ambitious plans to play in the national Rugby League Conference next year, before expanding and launching a junior development program that will go across Sussex in collaboration with the Rugby Football League in 2011.
Merlins Co-founder and Chairman, Nick Weston commented: “We have set up a club that gives the people of Sussex the opportunity to partake in Rugby League at all levels, irrespective of their background. We’ve got a great team, fantastic coach and have already attracted lots of support and interest.
We really want this first home game and season to be a success, so welcome all existing rugby league fans, as well as families and young people from across the region to come along and check it out. We want the Merlins to be something the people of Sussex can be proud of and for the club and games to be a way to bring local communities together. So we hope to see lots of people there this Sunday to cheer us on!”
The Merlins will be playing London team, the London Sharks. Kick off is at 2.30pm and there will be a BBQ and open bar to celebrate the first game and launch of the Merlins. Free for all to attend.
For more info and to sign up to the event go to:
http://www.facebook.com/
ENDS
Further Information and Contacts
The Merlins are based in Hove, East Sussex. The club is the brainchild of James Evans, the son Former Hull FC player Steve Evans, and Nick Weston, who has played the game across the country, including Preston, Leicester and London.
The aim of the club is to give the people of Sussex the opportunity to partake in Rugby League at all levels, irrespective of their background.
Rugby League is different to Rugby Union. Whilst Rugby League traditionally had more northern, working class roots and is played in a slightly different way to Rugby Union, since 1995 there has been an explosion in the number of people playing the sport at an amateur level. Clubs from Exeter to Edinburgh take part in the Rugby League Conference http://www.rugbyleagueconference.co.uk (RLC).
Rugby League is a summer sport which is ideal for this part of the country and for the fans who might want to catch a game in the sun! However, there has been no team in Sussex. Until now!
The Merlins play out of Hove Rugby Ground and have already established a following through local and regional supporters. The team is coached by James Szymik who is currently completing his degree in Sports Nutrition at St Mary’s University College, one of the top three RL universities in the country. James was selected for the Great Britain pioneers team to tour Norway and has been president of St Mary’s during his time there. He also works with Harlequins RL and is head coach of Feltham under 21’s team, as well as the Strength and Conditioning coach at St Mary’s.
Summer 2009 will be the Merlin’s first season.
For details of games and to keep up with news, please see: http://www.facebook.com/
Press Enquiries
Fay MacDonald, Director, Diosa Media Ltd
07880 896 131
fay@diosamedia.com
