Preparations for the big rugby league game in the capital on Friday the 22nd January are moving along nicely, with the annual London derby between London Skolars and Harlequins taking good shape.
The event has attracted an expanded and world class line up of sponsors. This includes headline sponsor ETF Securities, which is now the 8th largest exchange traded fund issuer in the world. It also includes a panel of Citibank, Irish Stock Exchange, Merrill Lynch, Rabobank and Selftrade. This event really is making a huge impact in the City, which will be covered by Bloomberg, City AM and Sky Sports. Hospitality for the event has been expanded by 50% and is all sold out. Robbie Paul will be the guest speaker and his inclusion has been greeted enthusiastically by fans and sponsors alike.
Skolars’ squad preparations are going well and Head Coach James Massara is keen to see his new team take the field: “We have some exciting new players coming into the club and I am looking forward to seeing them in action against high quality opposition. Players like back rower Ollie Purslow and Hooker Liam Prescott have been at the Quins for many years and so going up against their old club will be a big occasion for them”.
“Last season’s leading scorer Matt Thomas will be raring to go after gaining full international honours with European Nations Cup champions Wales. He’ll link up with new recruit Dave Arnott, who was part of the Scottish squad that reached the final. I am looking for them to step up and show what they have learnt from that experience. I am also keen to see what some of the young London lads can do. We have a good number of players who have come up through the Skolars Junior system and have been on the RFL pathways”.
The success of this event is also largely due to the new and improved relationship between the two London clubs, alongside teamwork with the Rugby Football League. Player pathways and development has seen the talent pool at engage Super League and Co-operative Championship levels continue to grow. The addition of the double header on June 12, where Quins play Leeds and Skolars play York at the Stoop, is also another fantastic development for Rugby League in London.
Tickets are stlll for sale but the capacity is limited so please hurry. Tickets are £15 and can be bought by calling 0208 888 8488 or email
paulthorman@skolarsrl.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The ETF Securities Capital Challenge- Skolars v Quins – takes place on Friday 22nd January, kickoff 1.45 p.m at the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), Old Street EC1Y 2BQ
