Lancastrian school makes final preparations for War of Roses clash

A Lancashire school being supported by Lanes Group in a War of the Roses rugby league challenge is making its final preparation before the big match.

The team from Haslingden High School in Haslingden, near Blackburn, will be running out in the special match against a school in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire on Friday 3 July.

Lanes Group is the school’s main sponsor for the match in front which is being promoted by Sky Sports as part of its Living for Sport initiative.

The game will be played in front of potentially thousands of fans at Headingley Stadium, in Leeds, before a Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens.

Wes Howarth, Head of PE at Hasingden High School, said the 14 and 15-year-old Year 10 players are as ready as they can be for the sporting occasion of their lives. He said:

The squad has worked hard over recent weeks and are really up for the challenge. They will be looking to uphold the honour of Lancashire on a very special occasion. Thanks to Lanes Group’s sponsorship, they will definitely look the part, with their specially-designed kit.

None of the team had played rugby league before, concentrating more on football. The school hopes that the experience of taking part in the War of the Roses event will lead to a permanent rugby league team being formed, creating a lasting legacy for pupils for years to come.

A marketing team of nine girls has been promoting the event in the school and the local community, even taking part in a Dragon’s Den style show to win extra sponsorship.

Sky has been putting out regular reports on the teams’ progress on its Boots N All rugby league magazine show on Sky Sports 1. Living for Sport aims to use sports stars and sports skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people, inspiring them to be successful in life.

Lanes Group is the UK’s leading drainage and maintenance specialist, and has strong roots in both Roses counties, with depots in Leeds, Sheffield, Preston and Manchester. Its HQ is in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but it also has HQ functions in Manchester.

Lanes Group Managing Director Wayne Earnshaw said: “It’s clear that the preparation for the War of the Roses match has had a big and very positive impact on those taking part and the school.

“Although our headquarters is in Leeds, we’ll be supporting Haslingden School on the night, and hope they do Lancashire proud on the pitch. It’s going to be exciting for the players and their families, and an occasion they will never forget.”

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