Salford Red Devils partner with Eccles college in new player development programme

Salford Red Devils Foundation and Eccles Sixth Form College have announced a new partnership to train a new generation of rugby league players.

The Salford Red Devils Foundation has moved from the AJ Bell Stadium to take up residency at Eccles Sixth Form College. The foundation was set up 15 years ago to engage with the local community

The hard work continued at 6am in the Academy training camp at Salford Children’s Holiday Camp today! Hear more about the camp and academy soon #TogetherStronger ? @SalfordDevils @TrustSalford @EcclesSFCollege pic.twitter.com/0Gj51D4N86

— SRD Foundation (@SRDFoundation) September 5, 2019

The foundation manager Neil Blackburn said: “We have always ran a rugby league academy and an education system but we felt that partnering up with an outstanding education institution like Eccles would really advance our programme.”

Red Devils will give students opportunities to do internal placements at the college, with the foundation to show them what a professional work environment in the sports industry is like, enhancing lifestyles and skills.

Image Credit: PA Images. General view of action between Salford Red Devils academy and Wigan Warriors academy before the Betfred Super League match at the AJ Bell Stadium, Salford.

Neil further commented saying: “The foundation isn’t all about developing the next professional rugby player. it’s also about giving them a first class education and making them a better person.”

Students at Eccles college will be given the chance to watch Salford Red Devils play for community rates. They were also visited by the Super League trophy prior to the final, which was played on the 12th of October.