More than 150 children have attended an inaugural session of Salford Red Devils’ rugby development programme.

The children from school year groups 6, 7 and 8 from across Salford and the surrounding area attended the Lions Development Programme on Monday evening (5 June) on the 3G Astro turf at the Salford Stadium.

The session saw the children split into 12 groups, each headed by local community coaches, who worked to develop the skills each child possessed.

Each group was named after a current Salford Red Devils Super league player; Ken Sio, Kallum Watkins, Tim Lafai, Brodie Croft, Marc Sneyd, Andy Ackers, Ollie Partington and Shane Wright

Salford Red Devils Foundation’s Head of Youth, Danny Barton, who is leading the programme, said: “It’s amazing that over 150 young local players which are coming from all over Greater Manchester have signed up to the Lions Development Programme and turned up with a smile on their faces.

“It is vital for our pathway that we are engaging with these young local players and creating a pathway for their development for years to come to give them the best possible opportunity to represent Salford Red Devils.

“These kids from all over Greater Manchester are not only the playing future of the club but also current and future fans of the club.”

Foundation Director Neil Blackburn said: “It’s testament to the team that we have so many young players in attendance and it shows that there is a hunger for Rugby League in not only Salford but the wider Greater Manchester area.

“These players are now part of our player development pathway and we look forward to nurturing them through their Rugby League journeys.”

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