Rugby League’s ‘Grand Day Out’ is coming to Blackpool next week (Saturday 7 September) – and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.
The Grand Day Out, a free event, will use every inch of Stanley Park to showcase the sport’s breath-taking inclusivity and ingenuity through an extraordinary array of versions of the game – from Touch and Tag to Physical and Learning disabilities.
Hundreds of players of all ages and abilities, including TV’s Adam Hills and a number of former Super League stars, will descend on Stanley Park from 10am.
The action gets underway with the final round of the 2019 Touch Nationals, featuring clubs from Warrington, and Catterick. A national Masters festival, including an anticipated 350 players, is also scheduled for a morning start alongside EuroTag, a semi-contact version of rugby league similar to touch and masters.
Meanwhile the indoor arena is the venue for Wheelchair Super League action and the new ‘Wheelchair 4s’ festival, while spectators can also watch an England Wheelchair squad training session from 3pm.
Also in action throughout the day will be teams from the burgeoning Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League, which gives people with learning disabilities the opportunity to play an adapted version of Rugby League.
And Australian comedian Adam Hills, star of the Channel 4’s The Last Leg, will bring his Warrington Wolves team to Blackpool to showcase Physical Disability Rugby League alongside Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity.
RFL Director of Participation & Development, Marc Lovering, said: “Rugby League is for everyone and nothing demonstrates this more than the Grand Day Out. It really does showcase all that’s best about our sport – and it does so in the fabulous setting of Blackpool’s Stanley Park. It really is a fantastic day out for all the family – and it’s completely free of charge.
“I’d like to thank Blackpool Council for their support, and all the teams, players and volunteers whose passion and dedication make this such a unique and wonderful event. Wherever you live, however you get there, make a date for Stanley Park on Saturday 7 September. See you at the Fan Zone!”
The full programme for the day is as follows.
The VIP lounge will open at 10am, with timings for the rest of the day’s activities as follows.
10am – Touch Nationals
11am – Wheelchair Super League
11am – EuroTag
11am – Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League
11.30am – RL Masters
1pm – Wheelchair 4s Festival
1pm – Physical Disability RL
3pm – England Wheelchair Squad training
Events are expected to finish by 5pm.
