Fans invited to become players for a day as Midlands Hurricanes hold community open day

The Midlands Hurricanes Rugby League Club is holding a community initiative called "Be a Cane for a Day" at Bournville Rugby Club, giving fans across the region the chance to take a peek behind the scenes.

The event on Sunday, May 3 was set up by the club following the cancellation of the League One away game at Cornwall, following Cornwall's withdrawal from the league, and is the first community initiative of the year by the Hurricanes, who are based at Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr.

Members of Cornwall Rugby League will also be among those attending, following an invitation from the Hurricanes management.

Those attending will be able to take in a pre-training briefing with the players, training with various members of the first team, an interactive skills session, mini games with the players and culminate with a post-session Q&A with club chairman Mike Lomas, managing director Eorl Crabtree and head coach Mark Dunning.

Eorl Crabtree said the day was an important one for the club as a way of building a closer connection to the community across the region and growing the sport in general.

He said: "‘Be a Cane for a Day’ is our first community initiative of the season, created to build a closer connection with local clubs and bring more people into the rugby league family. 

"Our aim is to grow the game by working hand-in-hand with the community, forming genuine partnerships, creating shared experiences, and opening the door for more people to discover what makes rugby league so special. 

"Growing the sport beyond its traditional areas starts right here, with events like this."

The event will begin at 11am on Saturday and tickets are £5 for adults and £2 for under-18s, which includes a free shirt especially made for the event and free parking at Avery Fields. 

To find out more about the event and to register for it, go to the Midlands Hurricanes website.