BARLA return to TV screens

Correspondent

BARLA are returning to television screens via Manchester television station Channel m with what may be the first of five one hour monthly programmes giving a round up of the amateur game from Youth and Junior to Open Age and incorporating Student Rugby League of both sexes in the North West. The show is titled 'Code X111-Grassroots' continuing on the successful branding of the aforementioned weekly show which came to an ended earlier this month.

Following a series of meetings with Code X111 Series Producer David Johnson it was agreed that broadcast time would be given to the show if the programme was made and produced independently, offering to transmit it nine times during that particular week at various times of the day.

In a remarkable ten day turn around following the agreement Andy Huzzar, Alpha Photography, Milnrow has filmed and produced and edited the show with the assistance of Steve Manning BARLA Media Manager & PRO, Matt Jeffery Student Rugby League, Trevor Hunt Chair of The National Conference Rugby League.

The first showing of the programme is scheduled to be transmitted at 7.30pm Monday the 30th October continuing to the following Sunday with a double helping broadcast on Wednesday 1st November.

Highlights in the opening show presented by Trevor Hunt are BARLA's clashes with The Army in the Skanska Cup, Australian side Manly, the Great Britain Community Lions Selection Festival featuring BARLA v Great Britain Combined Services/Great Britain Students v Rugby League Conference, Manchester University v Manchester Met, Waterhead v Saddleworth Rangers, Hindley U/15's & 18's, a special feature on Golborne Parkside ARLFC plus interviews and a competition.

BARLA are currently looking for sponsorship to enable the screening of four further programmes in November, January, February and March before Code X111-Rugby League returns for a second series.Channel m is available on Sky Digital Channel 203 ( across the UK and Worldwide), in the North West on NTL Digital Cable Channel 26, Manchester City Centre – free to air Channel 39 and Broadband hi resolution on www.channelm.co.uk

Steve Manning BARLA Media Manager & PRO, "It has been a dream of mine and probably millions of people to see a television programme dedicated amateur rugby league and the hundreds of thousand of unsung volunteers who make this side of the game possible. The viewer will have the chance to see that there is life after Super League, the stars of the future who dream to become full time professionals and in the opening show you will see just that. Although featuring sides from the Greater Manchester area now, no doubt there will be some cross Pennine action in the future. I would urge viewers old and new who follow the game to watch  and you will see the passion that everyone has in the game. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the standards set on the playing fields and don't forget the players pay for the privilege of playing.

"We are actively looking for a sponsor with a view to sponsoring further programmes over the winter and if anyone is interested to not hesitate to contact me. The programme is to be broadcast nine times and can be seen in the Great Britain, Europe, and with access to Sky the World Wide. It is a sponsors dream what more would they want to achieve. Any feedback whether positive or negative about the programme would be welcome for future shows no matter how many I am deluged with."