Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) returns for another record-breaking season this weekend (March 19) with England’s Community Lions World Cup winners and their new Head Coach all set to take part in the action.
The Rugby Football League are pleased to announce that Michelle Melling of Wigan Warriors has been appointed England Community Lions Head Coach and will take up the position on a two-year term alongside her current role with the Warriors.
Incumbent World Cup Assistant Coach Dan Roberts, Matt Drinkwater of Salford Red Devils and Keiran Hickman of Leeds Rhinos will complete the coaching set up.
Michelle will be able to size up her England squad when they play for their respective clubs at the first 2023 PDRL Festival on Sunday (March 19) at Robin Park, Wigan.
A record number of nine teams will compete in the competition this year. Reigning champions Leeds Rhinos will be joined by Warrington Wolves, Wakefield Trinity, Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers and Wigan Warriors with newcomers Hull FC, Hull KR and Salford Red Devils completing the fixture list.
2023 will consist of eight PDRL Festivals in locations across the country, with each team playing two matches at every event.
Sunday’s action begins with the hosts Wigan taking on the champions Leeds.
Wakefield will be looking to hit the ground running after last year’s Grand Final loss but will face tough competition in Mat Barber’s Warrington Wolves - before Hull FC and Hull KR kick off their campaigns with a new version of their old rivalry.
The afternoon will also see a repeat of the 2022 Grand Final when Leeds play Wakefield – a match that is likely to see England’s World Cup Final heroes Sam Zeller and Callum Parkinson go head-to-head.
RFL Director of Participation and Development, Marc Lovering says:
"Congratulations to Michelle on her appointment as Head Coach and a warm welcome to Matt, Kieran and Dan who will complete the England Community Lions Programme. We have assembled a strong coaching set up who will be instrumental in driving the PDRL game forward following the success at the recent RLWC2021.
“PDRL gets bigger and better every year, and this weekend’s opening Festival at Robin Park is an exciting way to launch the 2023 campaign.”
The action at Robin Park will kick off at 12pm on Sunday.
