Masters season kicks off at Millennium Magic

The 2011 Masters Rugby League season kicks off at Millennium Magic with around 200 players taking part in a festival at nearby Caerphilly on Saturday February 12.

Masters is a strictly social version of Rugby League for players over 35 years of age and has slightly modified rules to cater for the older player.

Pete Longbottom, RFL lead on Masters Rugby League said: “We’re looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic weekend and it’s fitting to launch the Masters season at such a high profile event.

“Masters Rugby League enjoyed huge growth in 2010 and we expect to see an even bigger increase in participants this year. 

“There are players involved in the Caerphilly festival from a number of teams including Medway Dragons, Royal Marines, British Army and Westminster based Political Animals.

“We also have coaches full of players heading down from all over the North of England and Wales and it’s pleasing that a high percentage of those involved will be playing Masters for the very first time.”

A special limited edition Help for Heroes shirt will be worn by the players and there will also be an auction after the festival to raise money for this charity as well as the victims of the Queensland floods.

There are no winners, no champions and no cup finals in Masters Rugby League, it is all about is the spirit of the game with the emphasis on enjoyment and the health benefits of continued participation.

The most important rule is that everyone has to buy a drink for their opposite number.

Day tickets for Millennium Magic cost from £25 (concessions £12.50) with weekend passes starting from £35 (concessions £17.50). Ticket and accommodation details for Millennium Magic are available at www.millenniummagic.co.uk or by contacting the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113.

For more information on Masters Rugby League visit www.therfl.co.uk/play/masters or ‘like’ the official Masters Rugby League facebook page www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Masters-Rugby-League/124934494229033

To keep up to date with all news from the community game follow @CommunityRL on Twitter.

Masters Festivals 2011
Caerphilly – February 12
Wigan – April 23
Normanton – May 14
Wetherby – June 12
Saddleworth – July 3
London Skolars – August 26
Eccles and Salford Juniors – October 8
Sunderland – October 22