Bulls launch Dublin events

The UK?s most successful Rugby Club, World Champions, Bradford Bulls, have today launched a unique week of activities that will take place in Ireland for the week beginning 21st June.

The week will see the whole of the Bulls Squad travel to Ireland from the 21st to the 23rd June for Coaching and school visits with the Bulls Community and Marketing teams remaining until the 25th June working in the community. A tie in has been arranged with a local children?s charity namely the Jack and Jill Foundation, a fundraising initiative will soon be announced involving the Bulls squad.

The Bulls feel that there is a lot of interest in rugby in Ireland and want to help support the growth of the oval shaped ball in general and Rugby League in particular as well as identify local talent for the future. During the summer months from end of May to mid August Rugby League Ireland (RLI) will be running a domestic conference competition involving teams from Leinster, Munster and Ulster. The Bulls will help out with open training sessions for all local teams to attend in addition the Bulls will also:

? help develop networks for player identification ? provide a pathway into professional sport ? show how education and professional sport can work together for the benefit of the community ? illustrate how players can be used as positive role models ? show how community links with partners such as local colleges, the Gardai and Young offender project bodies can help in the achievement of overall goals.

Bulls Chairman Chris Caisley said:

?We have been very encouraged by the interest shown for the game in Ireland as evidenced by a significant increase in our website traffic and in the number of communications from the Irish sporting public. Our online retail sales to Ireland have increased dramatically over the past 18 months and it is clear that there is a very exciting opportunity for us to further develop our brand in Ireland. At the same time we are keen to use our expertise for the benefit of the community in the same way that we have done so successfully in the UK. "

For further information contact:

Dave Southern (RLI) Mobile: 087 672 7911

Jane Darby (Jack and Jill Foundation) Mobile: 087 765 7388

Stuart Duffy (Bradford Bulls) Mobile: 0044 7966 171991