February Newsletter

Membership As always, we are extremely grateful for your continued support. Membership for 2024 is now due and you can rejoin via our website by visiting: www.faxtrust.org Alternatively, you can see us this Sunday at the Shay in the East or South stand. The cost is still just £15 which includes our fabulous monthly prize draw. Membership can also be bought as a gift! The more members we have, the more we can support our club. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any further information. Match Day Dining for 2 Competition This fabulous competition is to win a match day dining experience for 2 people this season and is just £10 to enter! Your name will be entered into our regular draws throughout the season! This can be purchased via our website or visit us at our stalls on a match day. Town Centre Market Stalls We are hoping to hold some more market stalls in Halifax on Sat 18 May and Sat 21 September. If, nearer the time you have any good quality bric-a-brac, books, unwanted gifts etc, please do contact us.


Message from Trust Chairman – David Durbin At the time of writing this it doesn’t look as though we will be making another trip to Wembley to defend the 1985 Cup. Individual mistakes at the wrong times did not help our cause against a very spirited Oldham side. A much improved performance against Rochdale has shown what we can do which has given us a very, very slim chance of a Wembley return. As we know now our Challenge Cup draws gives the Club the first opportunity of home games and that much needed revenue streams. So please bring a friend and let’s get behind Liam and the team. With the right results we hope that we can get a Super League team at home to further boost the coffers. You can of course help by renewing memberships at these games or online at Faxtrust.org. As you know we will be supporting Squadbuilder again this season with all our fundraising. We are also looking for two new Board members, could it be YOU? If so, please get in touch. Several good news items coming out of the club this last few weeks such as the Foundation launch and member’s packages. With more to come it shows that we are moving in the right direction to improve our IMG score. The sponsorship of players via the Fans Forum is also something to shout about. A great effort! A great time to be supporting our Panthers!

David (faxmad@aol.com)


Winner! Congratulations to our monthly prize draw winner: February Draw – No.66 – Lillian Nichol – Family match day ticket


Reminder If any of your contact details change, please remember to advise us so that we can update our records.


Finance Our current balance is - £2608 Thank you as always for your support

January Newsletter

YOU CAN SUPPORT THE TRUST AND HALIFAX PANTHERS BY: JOINING THE FAX TRUST FOR THE YEAR - JUST £15 ENTERING OUR ‘MATCH DAY DINING FOR 2’ COMPETITION – JUST £10 ENTERING THE FANTASY LEAGUE COMPETITION - JUST £10 DONATING ANY PRE-LOVED RUGBY MERCHANDISE BECOME A FAX TRUST BOARD MEMBER VISIT FAXTRUST.ORG FOR FURTHER INFORMATION


Message from Trust Chairman – David Durbin Firstly, I would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year and a thank you for all your generous support during 2023. As I’m sure you are aware the Club needs all the financial support it can get and we will continue to do our upmost to raise as much as we can again this year. We cannot do it on our own of course and this is where you can help. Please renew your memberships and if you can please bring along a friend to join too. This can be done via our website Faxtrust.org or on any match day. Conscious of the current financial climate we have kept the cost the same now for several years at £15 and also the benefits ie your monthly members draw, worth more than your membership and newsletter. The match day dining competition also continues with the support of the Club and for £10 entry you get the full match day dining experience. Steve Thomas is again helping the Trust by running his ever popular Fantasy League, both of which are also on the website. If you wish to take part in the Fantasy League this is open until the end of this month. Our appeal for preloved merchandise continues and this can be brought down on match days or I am happy to collect it from you. Just contact me on 07790 852196. As we plan our fundraising activities for this year if you have any thoughts or ideas you would like us to consider, do not hesitate to let us know. We are also looking for new Board members so if you feel you can spare some time to add your expertise and help the Club please get in touch. I’m sure like us you cannot wait for the season to start, so as always, let’s get behind Liam and the team and support them in every way possible! David (faxmad@aol.com) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JANUARY PRIZE DRAW Congratulations to Gary Clifford who has won a Halifax Panthers polo shirt!


Finance Our current balance is - £5182 Thank you as always for your support

December Newsletter

Yes, it’s that time of the year again when Christmas approaches and you can’t decide what to get your rugby mad partner!  How about a Trust membership at £15 for the whole year and the opportunity to win big in our monthly draw or an entry into our ‘Match Day Dining’ competition with the chance of experiencing the fantastic Panthers match day hospitality.? Do you think they can pick a winning team because if so we also offer Steve’s Fantasy League with monthly cash prizes! All of these ideal presents are available on our website Faxtrust.org so get ordering as they are immediately available for your loved one!  These offers will also be available at any of our forthcoming stalls, look out for details. As you are more than likely aware we have a new kit supplier for next season so we will happily recycle any preloved merchandise that you wish to part with. We will be happy to collect just contact me on 07790 852196 or again bring them to any of our stalls. Finally I would like to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a healthy and prosperous NEW YEAR and also say a massive THANK YOU for all your support throughout this year. It is never taken for granted and is always appreciated. David (faxmad@aol.com)  

November Newsletter

Membership As always, we are extremely grateful for your continued support. Membership for 2024 is available and you can rejoin via our website by visiting: www.faxtrust.org Alternatively, you can see us at a forthcoming Panthers event. The cost is still just £15 which includes our fabulous monthly prize draw. Your support this year has made it possible for us to donate an amazing £14500 to the Panthers! Membership can also be bought as a gift! The more members we have, the more we can support our club.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any further information.


Message from Trust Chairman – David Durbin Firstly, I would like to start by saying a massive THANK YOU to all our members and fans alike for supporting us through this year. Your contribution no matter how large or small, the merchandise you have supplied, your attendance at our monthly quiz, your purchase of the Match Day Dining Competition and fantasy league and your support with the market stalls and match day collection’s has not gone unnoticed and was very much appreciated. I hope you will feel that you can continue to get behind us in the year ahead as we continue to raise funds to support the Club. With us all working together to improve our ratings on the IMG chart this will go along way to having a sustainable club and improve our chances at aiming for Super League. Our website continues to give you the opportunity to renew your membership’s, (which finishes next month), enter our Match Day Dining Competition and enter the Fantasy League for the season ahead. We will also be continuing with the monthly members draw that is so popular. Using the website is the easiest way to renew but can also be done in person any of our matches and events in the new year. A new addition to the website shortly will be two vouchers which would make ideal Christmas presents one for membership and one for the Dining competition. Finally, as we will have a new kit supplier for next season if you have any preloved merchandise that you feel you can donate please do not hesitate to contact me on 07790 852196 so we can arrange collection or we will happily accept it at any home game during next year. Again, thank you all very much


Kara is continuing working in the community on the following projects: Christmas card appeal throughout schools Free junior season tickets for all community clubs Introduction of the kids panther pack members club


Winners! Congratulations to our monthly prize draw winners: November Draw – No.80 – Barbara Scott – Meal for 2 at the Ivy House December Draw – No.15 – Peter Clayton – Christmas Hamper


Finance Our current balance is - £3674 Thank you as always for your support

October Newsletter

Message from Trust Chairman – David Durbin Well it’s all over now for another season, one of being consistently inconsistent. A disappointing end after the high of Wembley and winning the 1985 Cup. Now we move on and look forward to another season following our Panthers under the tutelage of Liam who arrives with our full support. A big thank you must now go to Simon for all his hard work over all his time with us and he goes with our best wishes for his future career. Our next fundraising event is a craft fair at the Shay on Sunday 29th October where you will be able to purchase that much needed Christmas present from a variety of stalls and of course you first opportunity to renew your Trust membership for 2024. This remains at £15 for the year and as your monthly members draw prize’s continue to be worth more than you membership, what’s not to like?! As we move into a new season with a new kit supplier if you have any shirts or other memorabilia you would to donate to your Trust please do not hesitate to contact me on 07790 852196 and I will arrange collection. All funds raised of course going to the Squadbuilder account which will be much used as we add to the squad for the forthcoming season.


Finance Our current balance is - £3788 Thank you as always for your support

September Newsletter

Message from Trust Chairman – David Durbin After our win over Whitehaven we now need three more wins for us to stand a chance of reaching the playoffs. As the season has had some strange results we are also now relying on others around us to slip up and our points difference at this stage could be the deciding factor. Can we get a full eighty minutes of error free rugby between now and the end of the season? Looking back at our game’s to date you would say no but stranger things than this have happened and with our full support behind the team we could pull it off. So let’s turn out in huge numbers, be vocal for all of our three games starting on Saturday against Toulouse. Our next fundraiser for the Squadbuilder is our market stall in the town centre on Saturday 16th so if you have any items you would like to donate please bring them down on Saturday or text me on 087790 852196 and I will be happy to collect them. We hope to see there because as always we will have bargains galore! After this we have a craft fair booked for Sunday 29th October at the Shay starting at 10am until 4pm. An ideal time to start thinking about that much needed Christmas present.

And finally the request for pre-loved and nearly new shirts/shorts and other merchandise/memorabilia is always ongoing as the sale of these has been a very successful fundraiser for the Squadbuilder. Please contact us should you have anything to donate. SUPPORTING September 2023 Email – halifaxrlindependenttrust@gmail.com Chairman – David Durbin – faxmad@aol.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update from Kara – Community Development & Community Manager Our summer camps have come to an end and over 600 children were involved in multisport, activities and nutritional healthy food making over the 5 weeks the camps were running. All the children and their families have engaged well with the Halifax Panthers and we have invited them to come to watch our French exchange game at the beginning of September. Project development has continued with new ideas and plans for violence reduction projects, over 50 active lifestyle projects, integration amongst our community projects and much more engagement throughout the Calderdale borough. As the schools are back primary school and high school delivery has started again with more schools being added to our partnered schools. The tour of the Wembley winning cup will commence in schools towards the end of this month, as well as the continuing of tours around community clubs, community socials groups and our sponsors. Kind Regards, Kara Colvin - 07309782215 Community Development and Engagement Manager Halifax Panthers


Halifax Heritage Rugby League Lunch Club Regular Meetings on 2nd Monday of the month NEXT MEETING – Monday, 11th September 2023 at HALIFAX BOWLING CLUB Thrum Hall Lane, Halifax, HX1 4JT (Wheelchair accessible) 11am start with Steve Smith (Heritage Number 917) Bar open with two course lunch for £4.00 Car Parking available on Site Please book you place in advance (with or without meal) To reserve a place, text or e-mail: Chris Mitchell: 07947-827627 - chris-mitchell@live.co.uk BOOK EARLY


Finance Our current balance is - £3538 Thank you as always for your support

August Newsletter

Message from Trust Chairman – David Durbin

After a tough loss to take against the Eagles we showed our true colours with another fantastic win against the league leaders Fev. This never say die spirit will stand us in good stead as we head to Wembley to take on the Batley Bulldogs. I’m sure the last drubbing they gave us will still rankle with the lads and hopefully they use that to exact revenge and bring home the cup! Being at Wembley will of course bring back memories for all those fortunate to be there in 1987/88.Your Trust is asking you to commit those memories and those of other important games to you into a book that we are hoping to put together. Where were you and who with? What happened on the day or at the game? Do you have any pictures to support you story. If so could you please email them to me at faxmad@aol.com or bring them to any home game for us to collate. We would also be happy to visit you if that helps. Let’s make this a best seller!!

Another request I have is that we have vacancies on the Trust Board for another member and a Secretary. If you might be interested in either of these roles please get in touch with us for further details.

And finally the request for pre-loved and nearly new shirts/shorts and other merchandise/memorabilia is always ongoing as the sale of these has been a very successful fundraiser for the Squadbuilder. Please contact us should you have anything to donate. Let’s get down to Wembley in huge numbers and make it another one of those days to remember!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update from Kara – Community Development & Community Manager • Social tag rugby tournament and weekly tag games • Rugbees 7-11 year old elite coaching • Healthy eating cook out in community clubs • Try high camps in the planning • Ukrane inclusion programme • Over 50s walking rugby/football/yoga • Academy coaching and recruitment for the college teams • Filming for the 150th film at the shay • Plans for school programmes in primary and high schools


Halifax Heritage Rugby League Lunch Club Regular Meetings on 2nd Monday of the month NEXT MEETING – Monday, 14th August 2023 at HALIFAX BOWLING CLUB Thrum Hall Lane, Halifax, HX1 4JT (Wheelchair accessible) 11am start with Tony Anderson (Heritage Number 934) Bar open with two course lunch for £4.00 Car Parking available on Site Please book you place in advance (with or without meal) To reserve a place, text or e-mail: Chris Mitchell: 07947-827627 - chris-mitchell@live.co.uk


Finance Our current balance is - £4548 Thank you as always for your support

July Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin Can we get on a roll and climb the table? After Sunday’s result it is clear we are not yet firing on all cylinders. If only I had a crystal ball to see towards the end of the season. The teams mistakes and inconsistency is taking its toll at present but thankfully other teams are also in the same boat keeping us in the title race. It’s certainly one of the closest seasons we have seen for a long time and one of the strangest as players seem to be on a merry go round from club to club. I guess as we progress further into the season all will become a lot clearer. What is clear is that we all need to get behind Simon and the team and give them our vocal support at Batley and especially on the 22nd as we take on London in the semi-final of the 1895 Cup with the winner going to Wembley. Who doesn’t like that winning feeling of seeing the team lifting a cup so let’s get down to Rosslyn Park in big numbers to give the lads that eighteenth man boost! Talking of a boost I would at this point like to give a big thanks to Ian Croad for supplying us with past seasons stock which we have been selling in order to give more funds to Squadbuilder. Your support also is greatly appreciated and our last contribution to the fund enabled the club to bring in Ben Crooks who already is showing his worth. We are always in need of your no longer worn merchandise so please get in touch with any Board member or ring me on 07790 852916 and I will arrange collection from you. Our next auction item is out this week so watch out on our social media platforms. Also there are still opportunities to be involved in our making of the film of our 150years of the Club, links can be found on Facebook or visit www.RUGBYDOCUMENTARY.CO.UK.

Onwards with our Panthers to Batley, see you there.


Panthers’ Community Update from Kara Colvin • School delivery in primary schools and high schools • Inspire by 9s rugby tournament • Social tag rugby tournament and weekly tag games • Rugbees 7-11 year old elite coaching • Healthy eating cook out in community clubs • Try high camps in the planning • Ukranin inclusion programme • Over 50s walking rugby/football/yoga • Academy coaching and recruitment for the college teams.


Halifax Heritage Lunch NEXT MEETING – 10 July 2023 (Bank Holiday) at HALIFAX BOWLING CLUB Thrum Hall Lane Halifax, HX1 4JT 11.00am start with Malcolm Agar Bar open. Interview starts at 11.00am, with two course lunch for £4.00 Car Parking available on Site Please book you place in advance (with or without meal) To reserve a place ring or e-mail: Chris Mitchell: 07947-827627 or chris-mitchell@live.co.uk If any of you can volunteer to be one of our guest(s) please contact Malcolm Kielty on 07946-510900


Maureen’s Finance Current balance - £4262.00.

June Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin A magnificent performance against Saints and now the wheels appear to have come of our wagon. Individual errors are certainly taking there toll at the moment and this is clearly affecting the teams confidence. This is when the true supporters stand behind the team and offer them every encouragement as we move into the second half of the season and this start’s at Swinton on Sunday when we can hopefully we can get our season back on track! Let’s make some noise and become that vocal eighteenth man in support of our Panthers! Talking of support, we are still in need of any pre-loved rugby shirts, shorts, hoodies etc so if you can help please do not hesitate to contact me on 07790 852196 to arrange collection or you can bring any items down on home match days to any of our stalls. Your generosity has enabled us to continue to support the Panthers Squadbuilder as you may have seen from our recent donation of £5000 during the Saints game. Other opportunities to support us are by attending our monthly quizzes on the last Wednesday of every month at the Ivy House, entering our Match Day Dining competition and making donations on match days. All of which is never taken for granted and very much appreciated.

See you all at Swinton.


Panthers’ Community Update from Kara Colvin • School coaching delivery continues across primary and high schools. • Try High Camps were delivered in the half term break engaging with over 50 children. • Plans for a healthy eating project across community clubs is being implemented right now in time for summer. • Engagement through tournaments is happening across all ages in the community. • Plans for a development rugby league pathway is under plans. • The panthers academies are still training in the off season, with all three head coaches focussing hard on recruitment for the next intake in September. • The hydration station has been in full swing with over 1900 school children across Calderdale receiving a bottle of water. • More active assemblies have been planned in schools not reached in this wave of the hydration station. • Plans for a big Halifax homecoming are underway. Plenty more behind the scenes but this will be delivered later in the year!


Halifax Heritage Lunch NEXT MEETING – 12 June 2023 (Bank Holiday) at HALIFAX BOWLING CLUB Thrum Hall Lane Halifax, HX1 4JT 11.00am start with Nigel Wood Bar open. Interview starts at 11.00am, with two course lunch for £4.00 Car Parking available on Site Please book you place in advance (with or without meal) To reserve a place ring or e-mail: Chris Mitchell: 07947-827627 or chris-mitchell@live.co.uk If any of you can volunteer to be one of our guest(s) please contact Malcolm Kielty on 07946-510900


Maureen’s Finance Current balance - £3652.

   

April Newsletter

Dear Trust member,   Due to the Easter break there won't be the usual newsletter but please see below a message from our chairman, Dave Durbin:   What a game for the neutral ,a great vocal crowd despite the poor conditions made for a fascinating game. We came so near yet so far. Too many penalties and not quite clicking in all departments yet as we lose to our local rivals the Bulls. Not any easy one to take. So, it’s onwards and upwards  as we take on the York City Knights this Sunday and hopefully get that win to spur us on   A healthy crowd again at the game which also helps with our fundraising for the club and of course it was good to see our Ambassador John Bentley, as well as Brian Noble, Tony Anderson, Karl Harrison and Jon Hamer at the game too. The fundraising as you know takes various forms and we have a market stall in town on Saturday 13th May, so if you have any bric a brac items you feel able to donate we are happy to collect them or alternatively you can bring them down on match days. As spring is here it’s an ideal time for that clear out! Memberships and our monthly quiz on the last Wednesday of the month at the Ivy House courtesy of Pete Mac is another way we hope you feel able to support .   The IMG piece is of course eagerly awaited as the Clubs vote for it on the 19th of this month. While in principle it should be correct that all clubs have a sound financial base there are several other area,s that need reviewing namely that of promotion and relegation a fundamental in any sport which has league’s. I guess all will be revealed shortly and let’s hope that some of the concerns have been addressed.   May we also congratulate the Panthers wheelchair team who had a resounding 122-2 win over Warrington on Sunday! We wish them lots of luck at their 'Magic Weekend' in Birmingham where they will be playing Wigan, kicking off at 4pm Saturday 15 April (this is being broadcast live on The Sportsman channel on Youtube).