CORONATION STREET STARS SWAP THE COBBLES FOR THE RUGBY PITCH AT CO-OPERATIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS CELEBRATION DINNER
21 September 2010
Manchester
Coronation Street actresses Michelle Keegan and Lucy Jo Hudson dazzled on the red carpet last night as they attended The Co-operative Championships awards and celebration dinner in Manchester, .The event, attended by over 100 people from sporting celebrities to acting talent, was designed to recognise the best on the field achievements of players, coaches, referees and teams participating during the 2010 Co-operative Championships season.
Former Corrie star Lucy Jo Hudson was keen to pledge her support for Rugby League: “I have been surrounded by Rugby League ever since I was young because my brother Ryan plays professionally for Castleford Tigers. It’s a great game and I am pleased that more and more women are sharing my love for the sport. This evening has been brilliant and it’s all about celebrating another fantastic season with only the final left to go. Good luck to all the guys competing on Sunday!”
Michelle Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre in the popular Manchester soap, also admitted to being a fan: “It was great to be here and celebrate all the fantastic achievements of these talented players. We watch all of the hard work that they put it on the pitch week in, week out so it’s great to be able to come here and help celebrate their efforts.”
Liz Matkin, Head of Sponsorship for competition sponsors The Co-operative, added: “Tonight has been all about celebrating the 2010 Co-operative Championships season and the hard work by all those involved in the League both on and off the field. It’s great that Michelle and Lucy-Jo came and lent their support and that can only be good for a game that is growing in popularity for both men and women. Rugby League is good for everyone and we are pleased to be associated with it. On behalf of the Co-operative congratulations to all those who won awards this evening, it really has been another thrilling season.”
Female participation in Rugby League is rising year on year with statistics from the RFL, the sports governing body, highlighting that in 2010 over 1100 girls and women competed in contact Rugby League and a further 2000 have registered to play Touch and Tag Rugby League since the start of the season in March this year.
Additionally the number of qualified female coaches in the UK is now over 100 and there are also over 50 qualified female Rugby League referees currently enjoying the benefits of the professional sport.
Across the board participation numbers for women in Rugby league are rising and this is no more evident than at the annual Champions Schools competition which this year reached a new high with over 3,000 girls competing in the competition.
To stay up to date with the latest Finals Day news visit facebook under ‘The Official 2010 Co-operative Championships Finals Day’ - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Official-2010-Co-operative-Championships-Finals-Day/137638842927771?ref=ts
To purchase your tickets for The Co-operative Championship Finals Day call the RFL ticket office on 0844 856 1113 or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk .Tickets can also be purchased from The Halliwell Jones Ticket Office on the day.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The Co-operative has been title sponsors of The Co-operative Championships since 2007 and official partner of the RFL since 2008. The association sees a perfect alignment between one of Britain’s leading community retailers and a sport based at the heart of communities up and down the country.
For more information please contact:
Jonathan Steel – 0845 241 8111
Generate Sponsorship