Trafford Council celebrates the 2013 Rugby League World Cup coming to Greater Manchester (From Messenger Newspapers)

Trafford Council celebrates the 2013 Rugby League World Cup coming to Greater Manchester

12:57pm Thursday 1st December 2011 in News

TRAFFORD Council has welcomed news that the 2013 Rugby League World Cup will be coming to Greater Manchester.

The region has been named as a host following a successful bid from the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).

Leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Matt Colledge, said: "This is fantastic news for the region and I am delighted that the AGMA bid was a success.

“Following on from the announcement that Trafford is a host borough for the London 2012 Olympic Games, this secures Greater Manchester as a leader when it comes to hosting international sporting events."

Group game and quarter-final hosts have been announced along with those hosting team base camps and training sites. Venues for semi-finals and the final are yet to be confirmed.

The announcement comes at an exciting time for rugby league in Trafford, as the first ever Trafford Regional Schools Squad is set to be launched, comprising Stretford High School, Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College, Sale Grammar School, Urmston Grammar School, Wellacre Academy and North Cestrian Grammar School. Two clubs, the Stretford Rugby League Club and South Trafford Raiders, are also being launched.

Trafford, in partnership with Manchester and Salford Councils, now has its own Rugby League Development Manager, Phil Fitton funded by the Rugby Football League in partnership with the three local authorities.

He works closely with a full time Trafford community rugby league coach, employed by Salford City Reds Rugby League Club, plus schools and other partners, to raise the profile of the sport in the borough.

Phil said: "These are exciting times for rugby league in Trafford and, with the World Cup only a matter of months away, rugby league in Trafford can only flourish."