Rochdale Hornets announce ground-breaking partnership with Edstart Sports Coaching

Rochdale Hornets have entered into a ground-breaking partnership with Edstart Sports Coaching, aimed at inspiring children across Rochdale and Bury.

Through Edstart’s Star of the Day scheme, young participants at over 200 weekly classes will have the chance to earn free tickets to Hornets matches.

This innovative collaboration not only provides local children with the opportunity to engage with the sport, but also offers a unique way to foster a lasting connection with the club. By earning tickets to Hornets games, young fans will be motivated to attend matches, helping to increase footfall and engagement at the Crown Oil Arena on matchdays.

In addition to benefiting the local community, this partnership will significantly boost brand awareness for both the Hornets and Edstart within Rochdale and Bury. 

The exposure generated by these schemes and other initiatives will help raise the profile of the club and further embed it into the local professional sporting landscape.

Edstart has a proven track record of successful partnerships, including their work with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the UK, where their innovative approach to sports coaching has introduced American Football as “JagTag” to young people across the borough. 

Building on this success, Edstart’s partnership with Rochdale Hornets will bring a similar level of engagement and excitement to the rugby league culture, benefiting both the local community and the club.

This will come into force imminently in schools across the borough, with coaching lead sessions by Edstart.

Edstart will also have access to 'The Hive' at Million Pavilion throughout the year, by hosting a variety of sports sessions that encourage physical activity, teamwork and skill development. The enclosed sports facility site has been home to Rochdale Hornets Foundation since July 2024. 

This will provide indoor and outdoor space for activities and half-term camps. These sessions are designed to be accessible for participants of all abilities, helping them build fitness, confidence and social connections in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation chairman Mark Wynn said: “We are excited to be partnering with Edstart on this initiative. One of the major appeals to the Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation was the excellent reputation and respect Edstart has in the local education sector.

“We hope to build on this partnership and get more young people interested and involved in rugby league across the borough and beyond.”

Rochdale Hornets general manager Matt Rigby said: “This is a significant partnership for the club and foundation. It provides opportunity for us to improve our brand awareness in the town in particular with a younger audience. 

"Edstart have a proven track record in the local area, and we have no doubt they will represent the club faultlessly. We are looking forward to welcoming them and members of their classes to the Crown Oil Arena in the years ahead.”

Ash Greenhalgh,Edstart Sports Coaching director, said: "This is a huge collaboration for everyone involved with Edstart, from our students to their parents as well as the coaches and all our partner schools.

"The opportunity the Hornets are providing is so influential and motivating, to receive not only a free ticket to go and watch a professional rugby league team, but also their family too. I am proud of this partnership with the Rochdale Hornets, as we both share the same values - community, professionalism, engagement, opportunities, family and aspiration." 

Jen Baker, area manager of Edstart Rochdale said: "The Star of the Day initiative encourages children within our PE lessons, dinnertime and after-school clubs, community sessions and holiday clubs to become more resilient, persevere through difficult challenges, become better team players and simply motivate positive behaviour.

"I really like how we've adapted our rewards for stars of the lesson to receive an Edstart/Hornets 'Star of the Day' certificate, which will hold a QR code to gain access to their reward - a free family ticket to go and watch the Hornets, live at the Crown Oil Arena."

Oliver Lee, quality assurance manager of Edstart Rochdale & Oldham, said: "At Edstart, we're always looking for ways to provide enriching experiences that go beyond the sports sessions we deliver. 

"This partnership with Rochdale Hornets opens up incredible opportunities for the children we work with every day. 

"Not only will they get to use a top-class facility for their sessions, but they'll also have unique experiences like meeting the players, being a mascot on match days, and even joining the ball crew. Additionally, the chance for families to attend games for free when their child is named an 'Edstart Star of the Day' makes this partnership even more special. 

"We're excited about the positive impact this will have on our children's development, both in sport and most importantly in life."

For more information about the partnership or to register for Edstart’s programs, Please visit www.edstart.org.uk or contact Edstart via email: enquiries@edstart.org.uk