The Kingstone Press National Conference League has secured a two year live broadcasting deal with Rugby AM and the UK's only dedicated Free-to-Air sports channel FreeSports.
Over 30 games from the premier community Rugby League competition will be broadcast live throughout the 2018 season, commencing with the Premier Division clash between Wigan St. Patricks and league champions, Thatto Heath Crusaders of St. Helens, on Saturday March 3rd, kick off 4.30pm.
The Kingstone Press National Conference League, which boasts the cream of the Community game, will have live games broadcast each Saturday on FreeSports channel 424 on Sky, as well as channel 95 on all Freeview and Free-sat boxes.
The Kingstone Press National Conference League will also stage two 'War of the Roses' games as preludes to the 'RugbyAM Legends' games, which will also be broadcast live.
Rugby AM was founded by Alex Simmons and is co-owned by Leeds Rhinos star Jamie Jones-Buchanan, and they have just signed signed a three-year broadcast deal with terrestrial dedicated sports channel FreeSports Channel 424 on Sky.
Scorching break by James Barker âž¡ï¸ quality support play from Macauley Barron...
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) October 29, 2017
Great try by @MilfordMarlins at the NCL Finals Day 👠pic.twitter.com/z1CFLQHuaf
The Kingstone Press National Confernce League games will add to the Rugby AM portfolio of programmes and events which also includes their highly popular Rugby AM Magazine show.
Kingstone press National Conference League Chaiman, Trevor Hunt stated: "This a terrific deal for the National Conference league, and gives us a thrilling opportunity to not only showcase the quality of Rugby League played at this top community level, but also to showcase the clubs and facilities on offer from all four of our divisions, for aspiring young Rugby League players of the future.
"Alex (Simmons) and JJB (Jamie Jones-Buchanan) have worked extremely hard to establish their own brand for Rugby League through Rugby AM, and we are proud to be associated with them as broadcast partners.
"With over 30 games scheduled to be broadcast and the Rugby AM roadshow set to accompany the broadcast crews, this will not only bring much needed publicity to the grass roots of the sport, but also hopefully pack fans into the club houses both were the game is being played and in other League clubs to watch their rivals play."
Rugby AM is committed as a brand to growing the game of Rugby league at grass roots level as well as globally and through their efforts, Rugby League is now accessible to 18 million homes in the UK, free to view on terrestrial TV.
FreeSports and are delighted at the capture of NCL live games and Rugby League's only magazine TV show.
Richard Webb, Chief Operating Officer commented: "It is brillant to be able to get involved with the Rugby AM crew to bring not only their weekly show to 18 million homes but also live games every weekend from the NCL.
"We can't wait to showcase the passion for Rugby League that exists in the lower leagues. Congratulations to Alex and Jamie for coming up with the idea and the NCL for working with us to make it a reality. Let's hope the Rugby League community get behind it and enjoy watching the games for free."
Rugby AM founder Alex Simmons comments: "Broadcasting the National Conference League live every week on FreeSports will, for the first time, give the community game the profile it truly deserves!
"Grassroots Rugby League is the foundation stone the game is built on, every professional player once upon a time turned out for their local club dreaming of stardom. The fact that we can now broadcast a live game every week will showcase the passion, spirit and talent of the National Conference League clubs.
THE TRY THAT WON IT! ðŸ†ðŸŽ‰
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) November 2, 2017
NCL champions, @ThattoRugby​ ðŸ‘👠pic.twitter.com/uDnYqBv1C6
Rugby AM Co-Founder Jamie Jones-Buchanan added: "The community game was the bedrock and seed from which my professional career sprouted.
"Without the unsung heroes of the community clubs we simply wouldn't have the opportunities afforded to us by the professional game.
"It's been my absolute privilege to stay involved with the amateur game for well over a decade now, trying to give something back both previously as a coach in the NCL, and now as a father of three boys who have perpetually fallen in to the community Game.
"What a continued privilege it is to be able to beam the beating heart of Rugby league and the personalities within, to millions of UK homes through Rugby AM to invite the very nation into the Rugby League family."
Rugby AM Live launches on FreeSports on Saturday 3rd March, broadcasting Live from 4:15pm – with the Wigan St. Patrics versus Thato Heath Premier Division game of the Kingstone Press National Conference League on FreeSports channel 424 on Sky, and channel 95 on all Freeview and Free-sat boxes.
