Leigh Centurions congratulate Leigh Miners Under 16s who secured their place in the BARLA National Cup Final on 18 July against West Hull after their recent semi-final victory over Hunslet Warriors.

Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont said: "Leigh Miners Rangers are a great set-up for junior rugby. They are one of many great amateur clubs in the area ‎coaching a high standard of Rugby League.

"As a Club Leigh Centurions have worked very well with all the amateur clubs this season as well as all the schools in providing every child with a free season ticket. We value the youngsters in the community and have a large following from them which is really pleasing to see. This was again evident in the tremendous following that we took to Warrington Wolves for last Saturday's Ladbrokes Challenge Cup quarter-final.

"We also have an excellent relationship with the Leigh Miners Rangers senior teams and Paul Rowley assisted Alan Coleman and his coaching team to prepare for their Challenge Cup games against Oxford and York earlier in the season.

"Our Club Chairman Michael Norris has deep affiliations with Leigh Miners Rangers. His uncle is President and his father is a life member having been two of the founders of the club nearly 50 years ago.”

Mr Beaumont then addressed the subject of the recent news tweeted on the Leigh Miners Academy account that Leigh Miners Rangers Juniors have entered into a formal link with Warrington Wolves.

Mr Beaumont said: " It is important that people are made factually aware of positions, especially in a world of social media where it is easy for incorrect assumptions to be made. Unfortunately Leigh Centurions are not permitted to run a scholarship as a Championship club although this is something we would be keen to implement when we reach our goal of Super League.

"I appreciate the comments made that Miners Rangers have a need to look after their youngsters now but surely that need has always previously existed. It does seem a strange time to enter the agreement given our current position which many drew comfort from with our performance against Warrington. It could well be the case that the town of Leigh has its own Super League club in as little as three months’ time and perhaps some people may argue that it would have been in the junior club's best interests to have delayed the decision until then
"Moreover, Leigh Centurions in partnership with Leigh Community Trust have recently been accredited by the RFL as an England Rugby League Player Development Partner under the Embed the Pathway initiative.

"The England Rugby League Player Development Partner is a "kitemark" for professional clubs, community clubs and schools working in partnership with England Rugby League to develop the talent base for U12s to U14s.

"Embed the Pathway aims to develop the talent base for U12s to U14s in the UK through a sustainable coaching programme, that uses education and training of junior coaches through a programme of Coach Education, Inclusive Player Profiling and 24 annual Player Development sessions."

Mr Beaumont concluded: "We will continue to support all our junior clubs and open age amateur clubs where we have great relationships. I will also continue my sponsorship of Miners' first grade side and will always be approachable by Miners Rangers Juniors despite my sponsorship of Golborne Parkside junior set-up.

"Many current and former Leigh Centurions players came through the ranks of Leigh Miners Rangers and have great appreciation for the great coaching and opportunities they were afforded. It is the ambition of all Leigh born junior players to represent their home town club and long may this opportunity to try and realise their dreams continue."