Philadelphia Fight UK tour update
The Chairman of the USARL and Philadelphia Fight, Peter Illfield, left Philadelphia Tuesday morning bound for Manchester with Fight players, Fight Director & Head Physician, Dr Jack Kazanjian and Fight Director/Co-owner, David Bowe. The players will participate in a 2-game tour against Wigan Wolverines & Haresfinch, as well as attend Super League club St Helen's practice session & their derby match against premiers Wigan, as part of their 6-day tour.
On arriving in Manchester Wednesday morning, Peter Illfield met up with Director of European Development, Niel Wood, who escorted him to Glasgow, Scotland to witness the final of the Scotland Rugby League's Saltire Schools Cup. Illfield met with Scotland Rugby League Chairman, Keith Hogg and President, John Risman who is most pleased and proud of the development work that has gone on in Scotland's high schools with 20 involved. In the first of the finals, the John Risman Cup, for 15 years & under, Aberdeen Grammar School - 18 defeated Westhill Academy School - 6. In the second final, the George Fairbairn Cup, for 17 years & under, Aberdeen Grammar School - 54 defeated Whitehill Secondary School - 8.
The 15-years student game was made up of mostly beginners to Rugby League and it provided a challenge for both sides. The 17-years game provided more experienced players with Aberdeen Grammar being comfortable winners again and shows they have a strong Rugby League program at their school.
Both these finals concluded in the traditional English presentation of the respective Cup's and medallions to both the champions and runners-up. The players were excited by this tradition These matches of Rugby League was an encouraging sign for Scotland RL.
The highlight of the afternoon was the second round of the week-long College Four Nations Tournament which included teams from Universities & Colleges in Ireland, England, Scotland & Wales. The standard of these games was excellent, with England overpowering Ireland in the early game & Wales coming home strong over Scotland in the second game. The standard of play was high with each of these teams of 20 - 24 year-olds.
It provides an incite into an exciting future that growth & development of similar groups can do in America.