Earlier in the week our under 13s players benefitted from the Red Devils professional coaches in a structured environment at the AJ Bell Stadium by taking part in their spring half term Embed The Pathway and Rising Stars programmes.

These sessions have been instrumental to introducing players into the Salford academy system with many of the current cohort coming through the ‘Embed the Pathway’ programme.

Academy coach Danny Barton sees the programme as one that benefits both clubs and the players, saying;

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for us to work with the huge talent that exists in the area. We can work with these young players on the programmes, and give them something they can take away to their own games at their community clubs, and we can continue to communicate and have a part in their development.”

This was followed up on Wednesday evening when the Red Devils visited our home, the Ideal Debt Solutions Paddock at Philips High School. With representatives present from all of our teams, the school and our sponsors Salford’s Vice-captain Michael Dobson and representatives from the Foundation were shown around the kitchen and expanded clubroom in our newly redeveloped pavilion before taking a coaching session for the junior teams.

The weekend ended with a return to the AJ Bell stadium as Salford hosted the Sky Try ‘Big Games Bigger’ festival.

The festivals saw teams from the Broncos join 15 community other clubs from the age of 7-11 compete as the Red Devils looked to continue their development work within the community game through the Sky Try programme.

Torrential rain and hail stones did nothing to dampen the spirit of the junior players, who played through the downpour and served up some fantastic rugby league in front of the healthy crowds of family members and supporters.

Following the festival, the players were rewarded for their efforts by being given a lap of honour around the AJ Bell pitch at half time of the Super League game. Alongside this the Red Devils Dance Academy entertained the crowd with a half time performance.

The success of this event builds on last years fantastic turnout, is cause for huge encouragement for the future of rugby league in Salford and the wider area, and Foundation Director Mark Brocklehurst was thrilled with the day;

“It was fantastic to see so many kids from so many clubs playing rugby league. We work hard alongside Sky Try to develop the game and its great to see it pay off on days like today. Although we didn't get great weather the turnout and the standard of play was excellent.”

Sky Try continues to support success at a community level and Brocklehurst says that the programme will only lead to further expansion;

“The community game in the area is now really strong, which will begin to benefit everyone from a grass roots to professional level, the club is committed to continuing that work, and we will continue to see real strides of progress”.

More images from the Sky Try 'Big Games Bigger' Festival can be found HERE and the Salford Red Devils visit to the Pavilion HERE.