North Devon Raiders Rugby League and Barnstaple RFC have agreed an historic groundshare for the 2010 co-operative Rugby League Conference season which will see rugby league played in North Devon for the first time in the game’s 115 year history.

The Raiders will stage their five home games at Barnstaple’s Pottington Road ground beginning with the visit of the current South Western League Champions, the Devon Sharks, on Sunday May 9th (2.30pm).

Raiders spokesman Keith Fillingham commented, “We are very grateful to the committee at Barnstaple Rugby Club for allowing us to use their fine facilities in our inaugural year, particularly Chairman Martin Mogford and Director of Rugby Kevin Squire, who have been more than helpful in meeting our requests and are fully supportive of the venture. The Raiders committee of Roy Spear, David Luggar and myself have held a series of meetings with Barnstaple RFC and hopefully the deal will work well for both clubs and we will be at Pottington Road for many years to come.”

North Devon has a small but illustrious Rugby League history, despite the thirteen man code never being played in the area with former Barnstaple Colt Andy Tyers now Director of Rugby at Championship club Sheffield Eagles and Jason Kenneally, formerly of Bideford RFC now Academy Coach at the Bradford Bulls. Mike Blackmore played in League’s greatest showpiece, the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley for Hull Kingston Rovers back in the sixties and Kevin Squire graced the Headingley turf for Leeds Rugby League in the early eighties before a knee injury ended his career.

“Hopefully, the next professional Rugby League player from North Devon isn’t too far away. With rugby league being a Summer sport, and in particular for us in the South West, a rugby union off season sport, the two codes will fit together neatly to provide the Rugby Club with income through the Summer months, utilise the facilities twelve months a year and be a way for players from all of the clubs in North Devon to maintain their fitness and possibly learn new skills from the league game which can be used when they return to union in the Autumn.”

“We hope that supporters will appreciate the chance of watching rugby twelve months a year at Pottington Road and see what rugby league is all about.”

“Whilst the club will be based in Barnstaple for matches and training, we extend an invitation to players from all of the North Devon clubs to come along and give league a try. We see the Raiders as a North Devon representative side for rugby league and hope to play a couple of friendly games at other grounds in the area to thank them for their support.”

Barum director of rugby Kevin Squire said: "We are delighted to be helping the Raiders out. We will do anything to help get the club off the ground"

The Raiders coaching team will be on hand to give advice to all standards of player from the seasoned league player to the complete novice.

“We have had a good response from all around the area with RMB Chivenor a particularly fruitful recruiting ground but all players will be welcomed.”

The Raiders will be launched on Sunday March 21st, when a sign on / taster session will be held at Pottington Road, meeting from 1pm for a 2pm start. The session will be a chance to gauge interest in the game and an opportunity for prospective players, supporters and sponsors the chance to find out more about the club and its objectives. Registrations will be taken from 1pm at the Clubhouse before a light coaching session where the coaches will explain the differences between league and union with some drills and gameplay. Pre season training will begin on Wednesday evenings from April 7th then on Tuesday's from May.

There is a full range of representative opportunities for those who want to go further in the game, from the South West Wildcats through the South of England to the England Lionhearts who compete in the Home Nations competition with Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Last season Exmouth RFC’s Tony Emmins and Richard Cadywould represented the Lionhearts last season so the opportunities are there for those who want to go further.

To find out more or register your interest in playing for the Raiders go to www.northdevonrugbyleague.com, email mail@northdevonrugbyleague.com or call Club Secretary Roy Spear on 07738 983959

North Devon Raiders Rugby League and Barnstaple RFC have agreed an historic groundshare for the 2010 co-operative Rugby League Conference season which will see rugby league played in North Devon for the first time in the game’s 115 year history.

The Raiders will stage their five home games at Barnstaple’s Pottington Road ground beginning with the visit of the current South Western League Champions, the Devon Sharks, on Sunday May 9th (2.30pm).

Raiders spokesman Keith Fillingham commented, “We are very grateful to the committee at Barnstaple Rugby Club for allowing us to use their fine facilities in our inaugural year, particularly Chairman Martin Mogford and Director of Rugby Kevin Squire, who have been more than helpful in meeting our requests and are fully supportive of the venture. The Raiders committee of Roy Spear, David Luggar and myself have held a series of meetings with Barnstaple RFC and hopefully the deal will work well for both clubs and we will be at Pottington Road for many years to come.”

North Devon has a small but illustrious Rugby League history, despite the thirteen man code never being played in the area with former Barnstaple Colt Andy Tyers now Director of Rugby at Championship club Sheffield Eagles and Jason Kenneally, formerly of Bideford RFC now Academy Coach at the Bradford Bulls. Mike Blackmore played in League’s greatest showpiece, the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley for Hull Kingston Rovers back in the sixties and Kevin Squire graced the Headingley turf for Leeds Rugby League in the early eighties before a knee injury ended his career.

“Hopefully, the next professional Rugby League player from North Devon isn’t too far away. With rugby league being a Summer sport, and in particular for us in the South West, a rugby union off season sport, the two codes will fit together neatly to provide the Rugby Club with income through the Summer months, utilise the facilities twelve months a year and be a way for players from all of the clubs in North Devon to maintain their fitness and possibly learn new skills from the league game which can be used when they return to union in the Autumn.”

“We hope that supporters will appreciate the chance of watching rugby twelve months a year at Pottington Road and see what rugby league is all about.”

“Whilst the club will be based in Barnstaple for matches and training, we extend an invitation to players from all of the North Devon clubs to come along and give league a try. We see the Raiders as a North Devon representative side for rugby league and hope to play a couple of friendly games at other grounds in the area to thank them for their support.”

Barum director of rugby Kevin Squire said: "We are delighted to be helping the Raiders out. We will do anything to help get the club off the ground"

The Raiders coaching team will be on hand to give advice to all standards of player from the seasoned league player to the complete novice.

“We have had a good response from all around the area with RMB Chivenor a particularly fruitful recruiting ground but all players will be welcomed.”

The Raiders will be launched on Sunday March 21st, when a sign on / taster session will be held at Pottington Road, meeting from 1pm for a 2pm start. The session will be a chance to gauge interest in the game and an opportunity for prospective players, supporters and sponsors the chance to find out more about the club and its objectives. Registrations will be taken from 1pm at the Clubhouse before a light coaching session where the coaches will explain the differences between league and union with some drills and gameplay. Pre season training will begin on Wednesday evenings from April 7th then on Tuesday's from May.

There is a full range of representative opportunities for those who want to go further in the game, from the South West Wildcats through the South of England to the England Lionhearts who compete in the Home Nations competition with Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Last season Exmouth RFC’s Tony Emmins and Richard Cadywould represented the Lionhearts last season so the opportunities are there for those who want to go further.

To find out more or register your interest in playing for the Raiders go to www.northdevonrugbyleague.com, email mail@northdevonrugbyleague.com or call Club Secretary Roy Spear on 07738 983959