“Well, I was blown away by the reaction to my comment about medals for last Sunday’s game. It certainly stirred up a lot of strong feelings on both sides of the debate!

As I mentioned, the Club were happy to provide them as we feel it only fitting and proper that medals should be awarded for finals, but we have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response from the players, who offered to pay for the medals themselves even though we were never going to let that happen, a number of sponsors and individuals, who also kindly offered to cover the costs, but especially by our loyal fans and those of the wider Rugby League community.

Our fans made it quite clear that neither the Club, nor the players, should have to foot the bill, and they wanted to raise the money themselves in appreciation of the outstanding efforts of the players and coaching staff this season, alongside recognising the hard work of the Board, our staff and volunteers.

The total amount raised so far is over ยฃ1300 and the supporters will be presenting a cheque to Dean on Sunday before the team departs for Swinton.

On behalf of the players, coaching staff and the Board, I’d like to thank Gareth Evans for setting the ball rolling with the supporters, and also every single person who contributed to the fundraising. It really has been a humbling experience, and demonstrates the benefits of being a supporter owned Club, where our fans are always encouraged to be not just owners but ambassadors for the Club.

They are every bit as important as our fantastic sponsors and investors. We are a growing Club so I would encourage anyone who has been enthused by this experience and is interested in sponsoring or supporting us further in 2025, to get in touch. We will be only too happy to talk to them and welcome them into the Hunslet Family.

On a wider note I think this all serves to outline how important it is to reward success appropriately and hopefully we are also helping to highlight that the sport of Rugby League is much, much more than just Super League.

The Women’s game and the Wheelchair game have both brought a brilliant new aspect to the Sport including new participants, fans and sponsors. Alongside that, the intense competition and entertainment on offer week in and week out both Championship and League 1 level is every bit as thrilling and entertaining as anything you’ll see in Super League.

It’s vital that, as a sport, we learn to both celebrate and promote that far more prominently than is currently the case. We are “The Greatest Game”, but we need to be shouting that from the rooftops. The social media buzz created by the Club over the last few days, both by my comments yesterday and the way we have begun taking the play-offย  trophy out and about into the Community, clearly demonstrate there’s a lot of interest that the sport needs to tap into to help grow its profile.

As for Sunday.? I’m sure “Killer” will have his team well prepared as we enter the Lion’s den, but we go there without fear and the pressure is very firmly on them as the Championship side. I’d encourage everyone who can, to get along to the game, I’m sure it will be another cracker.

Come on the Huns!”

Neil