August 19th, 2023: A Memorable Day for Telford Raiders Players and Supporters.
Telford Raiders made history recently on what we’ve come to call Super Saturday, Saturday August 19th 2023.
On that day our two adult teams, women and men, were crowned Midlands champions in back-to-back Grand Finals played on neutral territory at Leamington Royals RLFC.
The ladies 34 – 18 victory, all the more remarkable in that it was their first ever season, was against a hard working and competitive Coventry Bears team who pushed the Raiders right to the final whistle. Captain Molly Shuttleworth caught the eye with her trade mark attacking plays, and all action Alice Hodgkinson topped the tackle count, but it was an overall team effort that won the day. Coaches Baker and Tutt were rightly proud of every players efforts in overcoming the disruption of no less than 4 injuries to hold onto an early lead and secure the trophy, presented to the team by England captain Jodie Cunnigham.
Whilst winning both finals on the same day was a remarkable and historic feat we should reflect on the off field work done by many people in the past and during this season that enabled the club to be in such a position.
10 of the male players had come through the Raiders junior ranks, a statistic that few other clubs could match, without the work of many volunteers that would not have been possible. Player numbers in all teams, including the newly established womens side, have been at record levels this season on the back of hard work from volunteer coaches, team managers and social media team. A Masters team launched in 2023 has seen the return of many past players who helped to build the foundations of the club 20 years ago. Much valued club sponsors have allowed us to deliver activity to so many participants in a professional and sustainable way. The support of countless much valued supporters has lifted and inspired players in all age groups.
August 19th 2023 was a very proud day for the Telford Raiders, built on the back of many years hard work, and giving us all a taste of what we can continue to achieve over the next twenty years!
