Hornets LDSL side to feature at Magic Weekend

We are excited to confirm that Rochdale Hornets’ Learning Disability Super League team will feature at this year’s Magic WKND in Leeds.

The team, making their debut in the Community Integrated Care LDSL competition in 2024, have accepted the RFL’s invitation to take part in the event for the first time on Sunday 18 August. 

The Hornets’ LDSL players will have the opportunity to take to the Elland Road pitch during half-time of the Betfred Super League clash between Catalans Dragons and Hull KR. 

They played their first-ever match against Wigan Warriors at the beginning of May. That game acted as a curtain-raiser for the men’s first team’s 56-24 victory over Cornwall. The Round 8 fixture saw the club celebrate its Superhero Day, with both the learning disability team and walking rugby team given the opportunity to play on the Crown Oil Arena playing surface ahead of kick-off. 

Currently, there are more than 400 registered players across 19 clubs, and the recent growth in participation highlights the clear need for sporting opportunities in the learning disability community.

Being asked to feature at this year’s Magic WKND is another incredible step forward for our LDSL side, who have also taken part in non-competitive festivals earlier this year.

Craig Fisher, manager of the Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation, said: “We are excited to see our LDSL team take part in the festivities of the Magic WKND, so we can’t imagine how excited the players and families must be. 

“Learning disability rugby league has been embraced in a huge way by both club and community, and we will always look to grow in numbers and develop the offering as we are able to see first-hand the benefits and positive impacts the sport has on our players and their families. 

“They have been greeted by the wider LDSL family at every festival they attend, and even more so when they take to the field at the Crown Oil Arena.

“Special thanks must go to Keith and Rachel Blood for their hard work and support in running the team. We hope that all fans of Rochdale Hornets and rugby league in general cheer proudly for our incredible LDSL team this August.”

The club would also like to give a special shout-out to coaches Keith and Rachel Blood, who have been shortlisted in the final three for the Disability Physical Activity Champion category at the Rochdale Borough Active Awards.

This is a tremendous achievement, given that the LDSL programme will only be a year old when the winner is announced in November.

Congratulations to both Keith and Rachel for their incredible effort and dedication.