Dewsbury Rams are delighted to announce a new partnership with local amateur side Shaw Cross Sharks.
Formed in 1947 and currently celebrating their 75th anniversary, Shaw Cross Sharks, who are also based in WF12, are a community focused club with 21 teams and a membership of over 400 players. The partnership will open the door to the Sharks to enable them to showcase their junior teams and player talent through a programme of regular curtain raisers at Rams home games. The two clubs will also be working together to develop and explore other opportunities to help promote the game in the local area.
The partnership will be formally launched at the next home game against Widnes Vikings on Monday 21st February. The pre-match games start at 18.15 and will feature both Shaw Cross Sharks Boys and Girls teams against opposition from Dewsbury Moor, Newsome and Boothtown. Shaw Cross Sharks juniors will also be mascots for both teams as they enter the field for the main event and will be taking part in a half time parade.
Rams Chairman Mark Sawyer said “It is absolutely vital for the success of our game that clubs at all level work together to promote it. As a club we need to encourage more young people to come along as well as promoting ourselves to others interested in the game but who may not necessarily see themselves as Rams supporters. Our discussions with Shaw Cross Sharks have been very positive and there are huge benefits for both clubs to work together. Our home game against Widnes Vikings is the perfect platform to launch our partnership. We are looking forward to welcoming them and the many players taking part in the pre-match games, half time parade and as mascots to both teams for our first Monday night game in front of the Premier Sports cameras”
Wayne Stead, Director of Coaching at Shaw Cross Sharks added “Following the recovery from gradual Covid restrictions as a club, we looked at how we could be of benefit to the community in these challenging times and one of the key indicators which we identified was firstly building links with our local community schools and secondly establishing and maintaining links with our local semi-professional rugby league team Dewsbury Rams. We’ve had numerous discussions and meetings with Dewsbury Rams recently as to what we see the future relationship could be and thankfully these are aligned with Dewsbury Rams thoughts. The launch of the partnership is only the start of this and over the coming months we are looking at building on this further with organised events. We will utilise our knowledge from our current links with Super League clubs to create a partnership that suits both parties”.
As announced earlier in the week, special admission prices have been set for Monday’s clash with Widnes Vikings with adults and concession priced at just £10 and under 18’s entry free. Tickets can be purchased for here.