Masters Rugby League returned bigger and better than ever in 2023 – and with the season now well under way a new group of regional representatives has now been selected.
Regional representatives are people already involved in Masters Rugby League as players, coaches or volunteers, and their role is to represent clubs within their area and work with the RFL to develop and promote Masters to a wider audience. The group is currently supported by Interim Chair Peter Longbottom, alongside the RFL, and meets bi-monthly to discuss Masters business.
Former North West representative, Dave Gavaghan, says:
“My time as a Masters rep was so enjoyable – I loved getting so many people involved and I met some really nice people along the way. It is incredible to see how much Masters has grown and it is something I am really proud of.
“To the new reps coming in, my advice would be to take it one step at a time and believe in what you are. The majority of people won’t see the time and effort you put in behind the scenes so please stick to the processes you have adopted, learn from your mistakes and don’t forget – Masters as a whole will be right behind you! Good luck to all of you.”
Masters Rugby League is strictly a social version of the sport for those 35 and over (women aged
30 and over), who are retired from open age Rugby League and are registered for Masters
Rugby League via the RFL Our League Active system. Depending on their age and ability, players wear different coloured shorts denoting how they can be tackled and by whom.
Masters Regional Representatives 2023
Women’s - Mina Patel, who has been playing for four years: “Women’s Masters Rugby League is expanding rapidly, with new teams joining each month. I’m currently associated with Leigh Miners and play in black shorts.
“The concept of Masters is amazing and one which attracts lots of new women into the game. I know several women who have started playing in their sixties. The social side is also a bonus and I am particularly passionate about the health benefits, both physical and mental and excited to see how the game will grow over the next few years.”
Cumbria - Willie Reid, who has been playing for seven years: “I’ve been playing Masters for seven years now in gold shorts and this season I am the joint representative for Cumbria. We currently have about half a dozen active teams with over a hundred registered players. I'm also the secretary of the Arlecdon Rams.”
Geoff Grieves, who has been playing for six years: “I will still be playing in my gold shorts as well as taking on the role of joint representative for Cumbria! We don’t currently have any open age Rugby League activity in Carlisle, so I am glad that we can keep interest going through Masters.”
Lancashire - Tony Prescott, who has been playing for 12 years: “My associated clubs are The Rebels and Cadishead Rhinos where I play in red shorts. Cadishead is a well-established Rugby League club and adding Masters to the roster made total sense. We have around a dozen active teams in the area and around 150 players – including two women’s teams.”
South - Adie Smith, who has been playing for ten years: “In a normal season I would play in black shorts as well as being the southern rep, but I have ruptured my meniscus, so this year I am relegated to the sidelines.
“I’ve previously held the position of ‘League for All’ officer at Solent Spitfires which involved working with the minis, the juniors and developing a Masters squad. I’ve now handed over this role, allowing me to focus on supporting further growth and development of Masters Rugby League in the region.”
Yorkshire - Simon Robinshaw, who has been playing for nine years: “I began my Masters journey nine years ago at Hindley before moving to Wigan St Jude’s and now Doncaster Toll Bar where I play in black shorts.
“I enjoy playing, refereeing and coaching Masters. I moved over to Yorkshire in 2020 and found my new club and never looked back. I am privileged to represent the Yorkshire Masters community even though I’m a Lancashire lad at heart.”
