League veterans head to Dubai for cancer challenge
The Bulldogs may play rugby union but they will be representing rugby league with pride when it comes to the Dubai Sevens tournament in early December.
The tournament features a veterans 10s tournament, and the Bulldogs are determined to win the comp, and raise money for prostate cancer in the process.
The only criteria for selection for the Bulldogs is that a player is over-35 on July 31, 2016.
In the past, the team has been run under the auspices of BARLA, who no longer support the team, due to them playing in rugby union tournaments.
A trial day took place at Wigan St Patricks ARLFC on July 31, to help pick the players who would travel to the tournament this years.
This year’s Bulldogs will be looking to maintain their fine record in the comp, and show once again just how good league players’ core rugby skills are.
The team have always reached at least the quarter final stages of the tournament in the past.
The squad features players who have been at Super League clubs in the past, such as Gelnn Cunningham who has spent time with Wigan.
There are also players who have enjoyed good semi-professional careers, like Gary Broadbent who played for Salford and Barrow, and James Marshall who played nine seasons with Barrow.
Former Carlisle and Featherstone Rovers forward and former Castleford Tigers academy coach Martyn Ward is tour manager.
He will be assisted by player/coach Sean Richardson who played for Featherstone, Castleford, Widnes and Leigh during his professional career.
“It is a shame that the amateur governing body decided not to sanction this tour, which helps showcase the power, athleticism, skills and knowledge of rugby league, and all the positive qualities that our game has to offer,” Ward said.
“Nevertheless, it still offers the opportunity for over-35 players to represent rugby league to a worldwide audience.
“In addition for the first time it will hopefully raise much needed funds for a charity very much associated with older males, and the importance of keeping fit and healthy in later life”
BULLDOGS SQUAD
Carl Sice, Gary Broadbent, Gary Richarson, Gary Smith, James Marshall, Carl Briggs, Wayne Foster, Rashid Aka, Martin McTeague, Lee Birdseye, Mark Kear, Chris Ross, Lee Kelly, Glenn Cunningham.