Rugby League 9s festival in Manchester next May

James Gordon

A Rugby League 9s festival will be held at Broughton Park FC in Manchester next May.

The Manchester 9s, open to amateur clubs, universities and “guest” rugby league teams, will comprise of three tournaments – Men’s Clubs Cup, the University Cup, and Men’s Social Cup – as well as touch tournaments for men’s and mixed.

Festival Manager Jonny Cuddy says: “Rugby League 9s is a fast, enjoyable and sociable format of the game. The Manchester 9s will be a fun festival both on and off the pitch, with all playing standards encouraged and welcome to enter.”

Teams and spectators will be able to camp on site over the course of the festival, to be held between 17-19 May 2013, with live bands, a busy trade village and colourful fancy dress.

St Helens and England forward Jon Wilkin is a supporter of the 9s festival, for which team entry is £90 for a squad of 15 players.

Wilkin added: “The Manchester 9s will be a fun festival, with the excitement of the Rugby League tournaments tied in with a carnival atmosphere!”

To enter your team or to purchase spectators tickets, please visit the newly designed festival website www.Manchester9s.com