29 January 2009

2009 Northern Rail Cup and Northern Rail 9s launched

The official launch of the 2009 Northern Rail Cup and the inaugural Northern Rail 9s competition was held today (Thursday 29) at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road Stadium - the venue for the finals of both competitions on 12 July.

This year’s Northern Rail Cup kicks off on Sunday 8 February and will see the 20 English based Co-operative Championship and Championship 1 clubs competing in two groups of 10.

Each team will play four fixtures in the group stages and four teams will progress from each group to the quarter-final.  Clubs this year will have an extra incentive to claim the title – the winners of the Northern Rail Cup will be eligible to apply for a Super League licence in 2011.  As with last year, Sky Sports will broadcast one fixture from each of the knockout stages including the final.

Richard Lewis, the RFL’s Executive Chairman, said: “The Northern Rail Cup is always a highly competitive competition which, like all good cup competitions, throws up a number of surprises along the way to the final.  Last year’s tournament saw a number of high scoring and thrilling group games followed up by a number of shocks in the knockout stages.  It made for excellent viewing on Sky Sports.

“I expect this year’s competition to be even more competitive as teams will be going all out to reach and win the final as victory in Blackpool gives a team the right to apply for a Super League licence in 2011.”

At the Blackpool launch it was also announced that Northern has extended its sponsorship of the Northern Rail Cup until the end of the 2012 season.  The train operator will also sponsor the new Northern Rail 9s competition which will be played over the finals weekend of 11/12 July.

Heidi Mottram, Managing Director, Northern Rail said: “We are delighted to continue our association with Rugby League and extend our sponsorship of the Northern Rail Cup for a further three years.
 
“The new Northern Rail 9s competition will give supporters a unique opportunity to catch top quality Rugby League 9s action in what will be an action packed celebration weekend.”

Bringing together every English based Co-operative Championship and Championship 1 club, the weekend long event will see all sides not involved in the Northern Rail Cup Final enter full strength sides into a tournament that will be staged at Fylde RUFC, the home of Blackpool Panthers.
 
The first day of the competition will see all 18 clubs playing in group stages, with the top eight sides going forward to a straight knockout competition on the Sunday for the Northern Rail 9’s trophy.  Meanwhile the 10 remaining sides will also compete on the Sunday in a competition to win the Northern Rail 9’s plate.  The finals of both the 9’s trophy and plate competitions will be played as curtain raisers to the 13-a-side Northern Rail Cup Final at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road.

Richard Lewis added: “We are delighted to welcome Northern on board for what promises to be another exciting three years.  Under their sponsorship the competition has grown from strength to strength and this is underlined by their support of the new Northern Rail 9s competition which will make its debut this July.

“The event will be the first time supporters and players from all Co-operative Championship sides have been brought together in one place over one weekend.  It will be a real celebration weekend held in one of Britain’s most popular tourist destinations.  It promises to be another great Rugby League weekend for the whole family.”

Sheldon Phillips, Head of Regional Major Events at the NWDA, said: “To have another large sporting event in the Northwest is a major coup for the region and for Blackpool.

“This is a new exciting competition which fits perfectly with Blackpool’s reputation for hosting unique eye-catching events. In a region which is passionate about sport and rugby league I am sure the Northern Rail 9s and the Northern Cup will be huge successes. The competitions will also boost the significant contribution of around £54 million that rugby league already makes to the regional economy.”

The Northern Rail 9s competition is supported by the NWDA which has worked with the partners to get the event to Blackpool.

The draw for the competition take place in June following the semi-finals of the Northern Rail Cup and will see three groups of four teams, and two groups of three.

Ends

For further information and images please contact:

Nick Boothroyd
Media Executive
RFL
Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds, LS17 8NB
Phone - 0113 237 5047
nick.boothroyd@rfl.uk.com
http://www.therfl.co.uk

Northern Rail Cup pools:

Pool 1 Pool 2
Halifax Leigh
Widnes Whitehaven
Sheffield Featherstone
Gateshead Batley
Barrow Doncaster
Oldham  Dewsbury
Keighley York
Rochdale Workington
Blackpool Swinton
Hunslet London

Northern Rail Cup fixtures:
8 February      Round 1 fixtures
15 February    Round 2 fixtures
22 February    Round 3 fixtures
1 March           Round 4 fixtures
6/7 June          Quarter finals
20/21 June      Semi-finals
12 July            Final