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).  

March Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin The roller coaster of being a Panthers supporter has started. Two wins and two losses while disappointing is I guess better than the start of last season, although it is obvious that our games to date have been anything but smooth. Clunky is a word that springs to mind with some good patches and of course some pretty poor ones. Still we are only on game four, a long way to go and plenty of opportunity to put it right and get us towards the top of the table. Our support during these times is as important as ever as it easy when you are always winning but a true supporter is there through thick and thin. We have had good crowds to start the season so let’s stay behind Simon and the team and be that vocal eighteenth man! We will certainly need to be there when we travel to Featherstone for our Challenge Cup date! Remember that you still have the opportunity to renew or join with your Trust membership. We will as always be at the Shay for our home game, and of course you can still join via our website faxtrust.org. Another reminder is that the Match day dining competition is now for two people and represents excellent value for money. You can join by contacting Carroll on 07977 596051 or at carrollawillis@gmail.com Our thanks at this point go to Ian Croad who has kindly donated numerous new shirts of various sizes to the Trust which we will be selling at £10 each with all the monies raised going of course to the Panthers Players fund. Look out for these bargains on our match day stalls. Who doesn’t like a bargain?


Panthers’ Community Update from Kara Colvin • School delivery has continued in the schools we have secured in the past as well as a new one being added – Cross Lane Primary. • Name the mascot competition was rolled out to 8 different primary schools across the wider area of Calderdale and 2 names have now been chosen ready to be released shortly – with the winning schools receiving a tour of the shay and to meet the players. • The college academy trams have gone from strength to strength with recruitment now starting for September 2023 intake. • The big sleep out will take place in March this year with players and myself involved – this programme will raise awareness of homelessness and much needed funds. • Healthy eating on a budget programme has been started in dean field school, encouraging youngsters to learn how to cook safely, healthily and using things they would normally have at home. • Prep for the women’s team has commenced with the shay stadium being the base for the women’s gym. • Community club coaching in all 10 community clubs has been happening also this month. • Community club engagement has been at a high since the start of the season and community club presence at game days has really shown. • The try high club has happened over half term and has been a great success. • Safety nets has launched and will commence at the end of this month, young men between 14-17 will complete a rugby session followed by a psychoeducation lesson to help them deal with adverse emotions and feelings. • Over 800 junior season tickets have been given to community clubs and 300 given to primary schools


Win Match Day Dining for 2! We are still running our Match Day Dining competition. A draw will take place at several home games and the winner will receive a dining package for 2 people! The price to enter is just £10 for the whole season! Visit our website to enter or come see us on a match day. Pre-loved merchandise We are appealing for donations of rugby merchandise including rugby shirts, polo tops, t-shirts, coats, hoodies etc as our stocks are running very low! If you have any pre-loved items that you would like to go to a new home, please contact us or bring to one of our stalls on a match day.

Many thanks as always for your support.


Halifax Heritage Lunch Monday 13 March 2023 - 11.00am Halifax Bowling Club, Thrum Hall Lane, HX1 4JT Special Guest – Bob Beswick 2 course lunch - £4.00 To reserve a place please call Chris Mitchell 07947 827627

Or email chris-mitchell@live.co.uk


Maureen’s Finance Current balance £5053

February Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin At last it’s the start of another season! It seems like an eternity since we have seen the Panthers in league action so it’s back to donning our Panthers gear, seeing friends and familiar faces, good days out as we travel to our away games and being able to cheer our team to victory! Our 150th year can indeed be one of celebration. Our win over the Sheffield Eagles with a determined all round team performance has given us the perfect start but as we all know it’s we’re you finish that counts. It will be a very tight league this year and I’m sure there will be plenty of highs and lows which all form part of being a Panthers supporter. Talking of which there is still time to join the Fax Trust which remains at £15 for the year with all the funds raised going to support the players fund. As always our monthly prize draw has prizes worth more than your membership and coupled with our newsletter is excellent value for money. Another opportunity which is very good value is the match day dining competition for just £10, with the winner receiving a match day meal for 2 and parking, all kindly donated by the Club. What’s not to like!! Another our fundraising activities is selling vintage shirts and memorabilia so if you have any you would like to donate to us we will happily accept them. You can bring them down on match days or I will be happy to collect them from you, just give me a call on 07790 852196. See you all Post Office Road as we take on Featherstone in the next round of this fascinating season!


Panthers’ Community Update from Kara Colvin • Continuation of rugby coaching delivery across 10 primary schools and 5 high schools. • 2 of the high schools we currently coach at competed in a 4 high school Tournament. • Name the mascot competition has been live and delivered into 6 different primary schools to the one we current coach in. • Over 1750 children have been engaged throughout the name the mascot comp with all of them gifted a FREE junior season ticket each, the winning mascot names will receive a free stadium tour and be invited to our Bradford Bulls games in the summer. • All community clubs have been offered FREE season tickets for their under 16 players and this is underway in most of our community club teams – of which we have 10 in the family. • Project planning for the summer continues with programmes such as healthy eating camps for parents and kids, violence reduction against women training in high schools, and our successful holiday camps. • Holiday camps continue. • Preparations for our 150th year celebration also are in the planning. • Both college academy teams are thriving and prep starts for the September intake. • Support for the womens team has begun with special input from the panthers club and stadium. • Plans for Her Legacy programmes to run in the summer, as well as inclusion teams to be added to the panther brand. Kind Regards, Kara Colvin 07309782215 Community Development and Engagement Manager


Win Match Day Dining for 2! We are still running our Match Day Dining competition. A draw will take place at several home games and the winner will receive a dining package for 2 people! The price to enter is just £10 for the whole season! Visit our website to enter or come see us on a match day. Pre-loved merchandise We are appealing for donations of rugby merchandise including rugby shirts, polo tops, t-shirts, coats, hoodies etc as our stocks are running very low! If you have any pre-loved items that you would like to go to a new home, please contact us or bring to one of our stalls on a match day. Many thanks as always for your support.


Halifax Heritage Lunch 13 February 2023 - 11.00am Halifax Bowling Club, Thrum Hall Lane, HX1 4JT Special Guest – Richard Marshall 2 course lunch - £4.00 To reserve a place please call Chris Mitchell 07947 827627 Or email chris-mitchell@live.co.uk


Maureen’s Finance Current balance -£3,116. The Trust has recently given the Club £5,000 for their Players Fund.

January Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin Firstly, I hope you all had a good Christmas and I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year. Our new season starts with our friendlies against Wakefield and Hunslet and here’s hoping we have as good a season as last year and maybe even go one better! Simon’s recruitment has a very positive feel about it and I’m sure we will give the boys every encouragement as the season progresses. Your Trust as always will continue to raise funds for the Panthers players fund and of course is looking for your support. Trust membership’s which are now due, remain at £15 for another year and can be purchased on our website faxtrust.org .The ‘Match Day Dining’ competition sponsored by the club is also available along with Steve’s very popular Fantasy League. Who doesn’t like to pick their own team! Our online auctions will be continuing with some very interesting items indeed. Keep your eyes on our social media platforms! We are all looking forward to seeing you all on match days at the Shay where we will again be selling pre-loved merchandise and if you have any items you would like to donate please bring them along or I am willing to collect them from you, just give me a call on 07790 852196. THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT ITS BLUE AND WHITE !


Panthers’ Community Update from Kara Colvin • The community panthers team have been completing the Try High camps along with Invictus and Calder Community Squash. • Plans continue for the 150th and involvement of a shay tidy up and refurb inclusive of all community clubs and schools. • Coaching in schools is still active and branching out to more areas of Calderdale now. • As the community clubs return to training each club will have the opportunity for free junior season tickets for all players – and having a panther presence at their training sessions throughout the season. • A healthy eating project will be completed this year to enabled the people of Calderdale to eat healthy on a budget as well as get exercise with panthers. • Primary coaching courses will be run throughout the year to enable more coaches to coach in community clubs – provided free from Halifax panthers. • Development continues for the women’s team and both college academies - the academies are growing strong and now the recruitment process starts for September intake. Kara Colvin 07309782215 Community Development and Engagement Manager – Community Panthers CIC


Win Match Day Dining for 2! We are still running our Match Day Dining competition. A draw will take place at several home games and the winner will receive a dining package for 2 people! The price to enter is just £10 for the whole season! Visit our website to enter or come see us on a match day. Pre-loved We are appealing for donations of rugby merchandise including rugby shirts, polo tops, t-shirts, coats, hoodies etc as our stocks are running very low! If you have any pre-loved items that you would like to go to a new home, please contact us or bring to one of our stalls on a match day. Many thanks as always for your support.


Maureen’s Finance Current balance £10,834, this includes a grant of £3,500 from CFFC for the 150 years Commemoration Film.

November Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin

I hope you are all enjoying this World Cup as much as I am. So much rugby to watch almost on a daily basis. It’s heaven! We now of course getting to the business end and the matches will be more evenly matched. Good also to see the Ladies and the Wheelchair’s now entering the fray. Can England make it to the final, your guess is as good as mine! Closer to home, what a fantastic turnout to welcome our new Club Board. The evening was informative and in parts entertaining. There is clearly a lot of work to do for the Board and us ALL in getting behind the changes needed to move the Club onwards and upwards. The new signings are a good start and show that there will be no letting up in the attempt to get us right at the top of our league again next season. Thank you for renewing memberships and entering the match day dining competition on the evening and of course the auctions went very well too, more proceeds for the Club! These are of course along with the Fantasy League that is available on our website. Also there will be some one off winter jackets available at silly prices and if local, the delivery will be free! Next year of course is the big one, our 150th year and planning has already started for this so there will be plenty to enjoy and support. More details coming soon.


Panthers Wheelchair Team

We were recently proud to present the wheelchair team with a donation of £100 to go towards a new wheelchair for some up and coming recruits. Malcolm Kielty has said that the initial target was to raise £1500 but the current total stands at £6800!! What an incredible response and this will hopefully go some way to supporting this is amazing sport!


Panthers’ Community Update from Kara Colvin •

We’ve secured 2 more schools in our campaign to spread panthers across the Calderdale area. • Try high has happened again and was a spooky success!! • Panthers Christmas card campaign is starting this week in all primary schools across Calderdale and every child who enters the Christmas card competition will receive a free season ticket! • The Women’s academy and men’s academy is going from strength to strength • Plans to get back into community clubs doing guest sessions is happening behind the scenes for when the community clubs come back to training • Alongside high school and primary school coaching as well as the academy coaching it has been a busy month! Kind Regards, Kara Colvin 07309782215 General Manager – Community Panthers CIC Halifax


Halifax Heritage Rugby League Lunch Club Monday 14 November 2022 at HALIFAX BOWLING CLUB, HX1 4JT This month we have some fantastic guests: Ian Foye 11.00am till 12noon Lunch Michael Hagan 12-30 pm till 1-30pm Bar open with two course lunch for £3.99 To reserve a place ring or e-mail: Chris Mitchell: 07947-827627 or chris-mitchell@live.co.uk


Maureen’s Finance Bank Balance as of 7 Nov £6722

October Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin Despite the disappointing end what a great season we have had! A massive thank you to Simon and all the lads for giving us some of the best rugby that has been played for a long time. Entertaining, quick and full hearted is all that you want from your team and this was delivered in bucket loads. No wonder Simon was nominated for coach of the season and Joe Keyes for the player award as this was thoroughly deserved. The start of the new season can’t come quickly enough for me and more of the same style will I’m sure take us that step further. Bring in on!! Your Trust Board are now in the planning stage for next year with an updated website in terms of merchandise, and of course you will still be able renew your memberships through it which runs out at the end of December. We will still be in attendance on home match days and if you have any pre-loved or unwanted shirts/shorts or any other rugby merchandise to donate please contact any Board members or myself on 07790 852196 and we will be happy to collect them from you. This has been a very successful way of raising funds for the Club which I hope you still feel able to support. If you have any ideas on other fundraising opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact us. The season might be over but we are still working on behalf of you and the club. David (faxmad@aol.com)


Panthers Wheelchair Grand final winners!!! Halifax Panthers wheelchair rugby league club were classed as the underdogs in the games Grand Final. Leeds finished top of the domestic league having lost only once, that loss was in fact to Halifax at the beginning of the season when they were short of several internationals. Both sides were at full strength and it was Fax who won the archetypical game of two halves going in at half time 36-16 ahead. Leeds however came out and clearly had a different game plan with accurate out of hand kicking to turn the Panthers around time and time again, plus scoring back to back converted tries to claw their way back to 36-28. Fax pulled away again on their rare time in the Leeds half, 42 – 28. However, with 8 minutes to go it was 42-42. Rob Hawkins, who in his early days was a Shay ball-boy, scored twice and converted one for the Panthers to lead 52-42. With two minutes to go Leeds squeezed in for converted try and were now 4 points behind 52 -48. Halifax however held out and went wild with their celebrations in front of the Sky and BBC sports cameras. Now these players will be mostly on the same team as the World Cup starts for them on 1st November. All games being televised. We would love to see some of you at our games next season – Kind regards – Malcolm Kielty


Panthers’ Community Update from Kara Colvin This month the community panthers have been; • Coaching in 3 different primary schools, active lunch times as well as after school clubs, securing some of the primary schools from the last academic year and now having two new schools on board with the programmes. • Coaching in 4 high schools, after school clubs only at the minute with a view to join in with the pe curriculum next year and coach within the pe sessions for all years. • Meetings and discussions have been had with Bradford girls’ grammar to coach their newly formed tag team – who will compete in games against other schools, branching out of Calderdale but the need and want is there so I’m on it. • Several primary schools are already on board for the shay show down tournament to happen next year so the planning is in progress now to have all the primary schools wanting to compete at Calderdale college for a huge tournament next year. • Community club coaching from panthers is still ongoing, with more community clubs asking for a panther presence which is amazing. • The last game for the men’s team at the shay proved a huge success with engagement with community clubs as we saw the biggest gathering from them – 498 people bought tickets for the game from community clubs alone! • The men’s and women’s academies have had their first games of the season and both came home with wins, the women’s academy has boosted its numbers and has a player chosen for the England DiCE pathway. • Work continues for the world cup game being held at the shay in the next coming week. • The end of October sees another try high camp – alongside Calder community squash and Invictus well being the panthers will be there once again. • Several different projects are awaiting funding, but funding has been received to run a healthy eating and rugby 40 week programme for not so affluent areas of Calderdale so this is now going to start taking place. • Violence reduction unit across Yorkshire are willing to work with panthers in the upcoming months so watch this space!! • The world cup trophies will be at the piece hall on the Friday before the shay host the world cup warm up game – alongside the Tongan player, French players, Halifax men’s, women’s, wheelchair and academy teams. • Name the mascot is going to get underway in schools this month to name our mascots and spread the panther brand. Kind Regards, Kara Colvin 07309782215 Community Development and Engagement Manager – Community Panthers CIC


Maureen’s Finance Bank Balance as of 4th October is £10,675

September Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin One game to go and we sit in third place! Who would have thought at the start of the season this is we’re we would be? We have seen some great rugby played this year notably our whitewash of the Bulls and our comeback against Barrow with eleven men. The new signings once they gelled have proved great value to the Club and it’s really good to see that we are keeping the majority of the squad together for next season. After our win at Widnes full credit must go to Simon and all at the Club. What a defensive effort!! A win against Fev would put the icing on the cake as we head into the playoffs! Our next fundraising will be our market stall in Halifax by Wilkinson’s in the town centre on Saturday 17th September, 9am-3pm. We hope to see you there for some amazing bargains! Our on-line auctions will continue shortly and of course we have our ever popular quiz at the Ivy House on the 28th of this month starting at 8pm. Now it’s time for a plea!! We are running out of pre-loved rugby merchandise so if you have any that you would like to donate, you can bring it down to our market stall on Saturday 17th September, to any home game or give me a call on 07790 852916 and I will be happy to collect them from you. All funds raised will support the Halifax Panthers. David (faxmad@aol.com)


Panthers’ Community Update from Kara Colvin Hi all, • Try high has ran all through august and has come to a close last week. Seeing over 450 children in the summers camps with plenty of involvement from myself, Dan Murray, Louis and Lachlan. • SmartArt has been a brilliant project alongside Halifax opportunities trust and artworks enabling children from non-affluent backgrounds to enjoy art with rugby! We painted plenty of beautiful pictures with rugby balls! • Continued work throughout community clubs with guest coaching from myself, Brighouse, Elland, King cross, Siddal and Greetland to name a few. • Now were in September I’ve been liaising with high schools and primary schools to get back into them developing the sport. • Plans continue for the World Cup game in October with plans for a World Cup trophy event at the Piece hall and pre entertainment with the schools in the area. • There has been a huge increase in community club present on game days with hopes to have a club chant event on Sunday 11th September. Kind Regards, Kara Colvin 07309782215 General Manager – Community Panthers CIC


Maureen’s Finance Current Bank Balance £9,396. The Trust wishes to thank everyone who has supported us, either by purchasing merchandise, buying auction items, contributed to our bucket collections, attended our monthly quiz or given us preloved merchandise to sell.

August Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin The win over the Bulls made up for the disappointment of losing out to the Broncos. A much better performance which got us back to winning ways and consolidated our position at the top end of the table. Our win over Batley was all together something else! An excellent team performance with Salty claiming four great tries which was a joy to watch. The Eagles up next so let’s hope we can keep this momentum going and further cement our third place. This is another one not to miss so let’s get down there in numbers and give the team that important boost! The recruitment for next season is gathering apace and as you will have seen your support and contributions have enabled the Club to re-sign Lachlan and Louis. We are extremely grateful as your support is always appreciated. As you know our shirt sales on match days are proving very popular. However we are running short of children’s, medium and large shirts so please have a look in your cupboards. You can bring them down to any home games or I will be happy to pick them up from you. You can contact me on 07790 852196 to arrange collection at a time which is convenient for you. Our next fundraising outside of the Shay is a market stall in Halifax opposite Wilkinson’s on Saturday 17th September. Hope to see you there!


Panthers’ Community Update from Kara Colvin Hi everyone! This week the CIC panthers have been working hard in the Try High holiday camps, across 2 venues giving the children a panthers training session and a 4 day long activity packed camp experience with the help myself, Dan Murray and Louis Joufrett. These are being run alongside Invictus Wellbeing and Calder community squash. We’ve also been working at the outback centre with Artworks Puy Soden, Halifax Opportunities Trust Lisa Connolly and Halifax Panthers (me) using rugby balls to paint - which will eventually become several art pieces to be displayed around Calderdale! Alongside that we had 3 community clubs down to the shay this Sunday to mascot for the men’s game and have a half time parade. Summer will be mostly taken up by the camps and the paint project - but I’m also developing a coaching workshop for all Calderdale community clubs alongside the RFL to continue the development of coaches at all community clubs.


CONGRATULATIONS Prize Draw Winner Chris Lawson - £20 Club shop voucher


Maureen’s Finance Current Balance - £8429

July Newsletter

A message from our Chair - David Durbin During a season you will always get some extraordinarily results, none more so than our win against Barrow. For the second time this year we have seen how our team of eleven have overcome the odds and produced a quite remarkable win. One for sure that will live long in the memory. Our win over Dewsbury has further consolidated our position at the right end of the table especially as the other results have gone our way and been very helpful. Thank you to everyone who attended our John Bentley dinner which was hugely successful! A massive thank you to John of course and to Jonny Lawless who hosted the evening. The night was sponsored by Steve Craven and we had further support from Ian Utterly, Chris Kershaw, John and Linda Kitson who all bought the gold table package. With the addition of ex players who attended including Jamie Bloem, Andy Hobson, Mike Umanga we had a recipe for a very good evening indeed! Finally, our thanks and best wishes go to Jack Duffy who is returning to Canada after doing an excellent job for the club in his role as Community Manager. I’m sure whoever replaces him will continue his good work.


CONGRATULATIONS July Prize Draw Winner – Member number 82 – Charles Standidge - £20 Club shop voucher


Appeal If you have any pre-loved items that you would like to go to a new home, please contact us or bring to one of our stalls on a match day. Many thanks as always for your support.


Panthers’ Community Update Return of the H20 Roadshow and Farewell Jack Duffy! It’s been another fun, exciting and memorable month for the Community Panthers! From after school clubs, to active lunchtimes to the return of the H20 Roadshow! So far within the month we have handed water out to almost 1,000 children through the school gates as they answer questions on hydration and learn how impactful being hydrated can be for their day at school! Children received a Halifax Panthers player card from their heroes themselves and also received a water tracker to ensure they can stay up to date with how many cups they drink within the month! Adam Tangata, Louis Jouffret, Lachlan Walmsley and James Saltonstall have all taken part and surprised pupils to a memorable start to their day! Other activities saw the return of Little Panthers Sports club at the little stars children centre, Panthers appearances in summer events at the Outback Garden and St Augustine’s refugee centre and parade appearances at the Elland Parade and the 10k Charity run over at the hospital. Kind Regards, Jack Duffy 07394519091 General Manager – Community Panthers CIC Message regarding Jack from the club: Jack Duffy, the current Community Panthers CIC manager will depart from his services with the club at the end of July due to personal reasons resulting in a move back to Canada where he will continue to pursue a career in sport development. Jack wanted to give a huge thank you to the support that the fans and the Supporters Trust have given to community initiatives and wishes you all the very best for the future. Stay tuned to the club’s website and social media channels for the announcement of his replacement.


Maureen’s Finance Current Balance - £5647