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BARA Tag Time In Association with the Connecting Communities Project
18/06/2009
The third annual BARA (British Asian Rugby Association) cross code Tag Time event proved to be an outstanding success once again with a Celebrity team taking on the MPs at Harlequins’ Stoop Stadium.
This year, as an added bonus, young girls from South Leeds High school also took part rubbing shoulders with stars from the world of rugby and politics.
The BARA Celebrity team included former rugby legends Martin Offiah, Abi Ekoku, Ady Spencer, Jason Critchley & Saima Hussain, the first Asian girl to play for England at Rugby League. Brychan Jones, Partnership Development Manager for South Leeds schools, Aaqil Ahmed, Head of Channel 4 Religious Programmes, Jonathon Freeman, National Operations Director (MOSIAC) & Adnan Jaffrey (MOSIAC) also took part.
The MP’s select team included Greg Mullholland MP, Andy Reed MP and Neil Turner MP as well as Mark Ramsdale, Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group. Dr Karen Hood & Carly Jackson (RFU) & Wayne Morris, Head of Community Rugby, Premier Rugby.
Super League referee Ben Thaler took charge of the game.
Casting an eye over the proceedings with the gathered media were Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Chris Hamilton, Vice President of the Rugby Football League, Nick Bunting, Head of Public Affairs, finance & planning for the RFU, Paul Blanchard, General Manager, Emil Wise of Harelquins RL and Sarah Guthrie of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
BARA founder and dual code rugby international Ikram Butt “It was a fantastic occasion. The event provides a platform to get significant exposure for the ‘Connecting Communities’ Project under the auspices of the Leeds Rugby Foundation and in partnership with the Leeds Metropolitan University which aims to break down cultural barriers and proactively tackle inclusion within sport.
“The success of the event would not of been possible without the support of all those involved including the Leeds Rugby Foundation, HAMARA, RFL & RFU, both the All Party Parliamentary Rugby Groups, South Leeds School Sport Partnership, St Luke Cares & Leeds Metropolitan University.
“I passionately believe that both codes of rugby and sport in general can be used to bridge divides, create positive role models and foster the ethic of teamwork,” added Ikram
BARA Tag Time was established by Ikram, in collaboration with a number of partners, to help raise the profile of competitive school & community sports and highlights the positive outcomes it has on children from a variety of backgrounds.
Brychan Jones, Partnership Development Manger for South Leeds Schools commented ‘We are delighted to be working in partnership with the BARA Tag Time initiative which allows our children the opportunity to take part, have fun and learn new skills’.
Neil Turner MP, the Governments Ambassador for Rugby League stated ‘Sport is a great leveller recognising no differences other than excellence and rewarding everyone who takes part.”
Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the Rugby Football Union, commented: “We are delighted to support BARA’s continued efforts to make our sport more inclusive to all.”
The pic below shows the group photo of all the people taking part.
The pic belows shows the BARA Celebrity team
The pic below shows the MP's Select team
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| Author - |
Rob Wilkinson |
| Source - |
Rob Wilkinson |
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