I was fortunate enough to be at Bramhall Lane on Wednesday where Rugby League's Northern Rail Cup was launched for 2010.
The competition has a new ambassador in Leigh skipper Robbie Paul and both the RFL and Northern Rail spoke highly of their partnership.
Northern Rail have been so impressed with rugby league, they have extended their backing of the competition for a further two years to 2012.
After entering the impressive home of Sheffield United it was a case of refreshments being taken and then all players representing clubs went to get changed for the obligitory pictures. Sheffield Eagles 2010 home provides a stunning backdrop and should provide the club with a real springboard for the future.
Once that was completed media, photographers, coaching staff and players were invited to take a seat.
RFL Media Manager John Ledger opened proceedings, saying "20 teams will step out on the road that eventually leads to Bloomfield Road, Blackpool on Sunday, July 18th. The 2010 competition has a lot to live up to."
After a video highlights package showing the exciting final between Widnes and Barrow, John introduced the RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood and Steve Butcher, Area Director for Northern Rail.
Nigel Wood said, "We sit here every January and we celebrate the Northern Rail Cup and the journey it has taken since it was first introduced around 2002. It is probably fair to say that of all our domestic competitions, it is the one that's grown furthest in the shortest space of time.”
“It's a terrific concept, it's a terrific tournament, it's an opportunity for the whole of the Championship, and that's both divisions, to play inter-divisional matches which are something that would otherwise be denied. An example over the course of the last ten years, Workington and Whitehaven wouldn't have had a chance to play against each other which is clearly nonsensical.”
“It's a terrific tournament that is valued by the RFL and is certainly valued by the clubs. SKY Television have increased their coverage of the tournament which has added to it's esteem."
Last year also saw the Northern Rail Nines contested for the first time and the tournament will return in 2010.
"Through the Nines tournament" Wood explained, "there is also the opportunity to embrace all of the clubs in the competition and I know that was valued by all the clubs. It gave a real high spot, in the warmer weather of July at a destination spot such as Blackpool. It's all set for another great competition."
"I wish all the clubs every success in this competition, the prize is significant as you are aware, not just the prize of playing in a final but also the availability to apply for a Super League license in 2011 which has certainly added a dimension to this competition."
Steve Butcher said, "It's great to be on the verge of another season in the Northern Rail Cup. The competition has grown from strength to strength over the years. It certainly provides some thrilling moments and some thrilling games that leads us to the final in Blackpool. We are delighted that the Northern Rail Nines has taken off the way it has. Having been there for them last year, I think we'd all agree it was a great competition and created a great family atmosphere and one of the things I certainly took from it was where the families got together and supported the teams that are within the communities."
He continued, "We are in the 6th year of sponsorship of the cup and the cup continues to provide us with great opportunities to connect fans across our network. We are commited to working with the communities and Northern Rail is right at the heart of connecting communities and people and changing people's lives. We are delighted that Robbie Paul is with us as Northern Rail Ambassador this year. Robbie will be attending games, he's also going to be helping us update our Northern Rail website through a blog and giving comments in a lot of the programmes.”
“We continue to promote the competition across our vast network and we have two specially branded trains that promote the rugby league. Thousands of people travel on our services every day. We run 2550 trains throughout the North of England and it gives us a great opportunity to promote this fantastic game. We also continue our promotions through posters and leaflets at our stations. We are delighted how the competition has increased in stature and it goes from strength to strength thanks to the invaluable support of the RFL, the clubs and your fans, we are only as good as the fans."
Lunch was then served and one on one interviews with players and coaching staff commenced.
The next time you travel by train, keep an eye out for Robbie on the front of a leaflet or poster.
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