Warrington Warriors will be participating in an exciting family fun day to benefit St Rocco’s Hospice in Warrington on April 29.
The event, which begins at midday, is taking place at Tetley Walker Sports and Social Club, and will feature one game of rugby league and two of X-League.
The headline match will be a Warrington X-League Select taking on the Ireland X-League side.
Warrington Warriors will play Saddleworth at X-League too, while Warrington Wolves Girls Under 11s will be squaring up to Halton Under 11s Girls in a game of full contact rugby league.
A clutch of former Super League stars will feature during the day too, with Paul Wood, Kev Penny and James Mendieka set to feature.
Ben Westwood’s Food Emporium is also one of the event’s main sponsors.
Warriors player and Ireland X-League international Rich Clancy has organised the event, and he is relishing the chance to see X-League played as a 10-a-side contest on a bigger pitch then normal.
“The first official curtain raiser to the proper match is Warrington Warriors are going to play Saddleworth at X-League,” Clancy explained to X-League RL.com
“It’s going to be two 20-minute halves. We’re going for 10-a-side, because it’s a full-size football pitch so there’s still as much space as you’d get in seven-a-side.
“Last thing you want to do is volunteer for a charity day and then spend 50 minutes on the sideline, you want to be on the pitch and feeling like you’re doing something.”
The hospice is a cause which is close to Clancy’s heart due to some personal experience of the tragedy of cancer.
“The first charity is St Rocco’s which is a hospice that services the Warrington area,” he said.
“I’ve had two grandparents who’ve been cared for there and passed away there, and so has my wife. The family has a lot of connections with St Rocco’s, and they do a lot, it’s a really nice place for people expecting end of life treatment.
“I had this idea ages ago and then lockdown happened when Covid struck, and last year when people started socialising and getting back to normal, I thought I’d strike while the iron was hot.
“Cancer Research UK is the other charity because it’s important to help towards curing cancer too.”
There will be plenty to do away from the rugby too, with a bouncy castle, live music, face painting and fairground rides to keep guests of all ages entertained.
There is also an under-fours soft play area to provide some fun for the little ones, while adults will appreciate the bars and live music, as well as the chance to take home one of the raffle prizes.
An ice cream van and hot food vendors will be providing the refreshments. Rugby league (and St Rocco’s!) is sure to be the winner on a great day!
Location: Walkers Sports & Social Club on Long Lane, Warrington, WA2 8PU.
Schedule:
12:00 – Club Open to Public.
12:30 – AT School of Dance Display.
13:00 – Rugbytots Display.
13:30 – Rugbytots Display Ends.
13:45 – Warrington Wolves Girls U11’s Vs Halton U11’s.
14:20 – Warrington Wolves Girls U11’s Vs Halton U11’s Ends.
14:40 – Warrington Warriors Vs Saddleworth.
15:30 – Warrington Warriors Vs Saddleworth Ends.
15:45 – Warrington Select Vs Ireland X-League.
16:20 – Warrington Select Vs Ireland X-League Ends.
16:30 – Trophy presentation and photos.
17:30 – MOM awards.
18:00 – Auction, Raffle & Fundraising Games.
18:30 Onwards – Post match social.