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News

26 Sep, 2024

COMMUNITY CHAMPION & BUSINESS LEADER A MAJOR ADDITION FOR LIONS

Jason Harborow, a lifelong advocate for rugby league, joins Swinton Lions as a Board Member and Foundation Chair Jason Harborow, a passionate lifelong supporter of rugby league, has played a key role in the sport’s development both locally and internationally. In 1999, he took top-level rugby league to the USA through the RL World Cup qualifying tournament in partnership with Disney, later serving as Operations Director for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. More recently, Jason has championed women’s rugby league, supporting teams like Wigan St. Patrick’s, Wigan St. Jude’s, and Wigan Warriors, sponsoring both events and the teams. In addition to his sports involvement, Jason is a distinguished global leader and senior advisor, specializing in large-scale projects across sports, culture, and entertainment. He is the founder and Chief Executive at Global-13, where he advises on major global initiatives. He has also held key leadership roles in the UK and Europe, including serving as Chief Executive of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture, and General Manager of the Manchester Commonwealth Games. Jason is a prominent advocate for inclusiveness and community engagement, and he also shares his expertise as a visiting lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool. Jason’s passion for Swinton Lions stems from the club’s strong community focus. He is eager to help the club achieve its ambitions to develop a new stadium and expand its impact across Greater Manchester and the north west. Having accepted the invite to join the Lions’ Board and Chair its Foundation, Jason said, “Swinton Lions is a club built on strong community values, and I’m passionate about helping the club grow its impact both on and off the field. “Through the Swinton Lions Foundation, we’re dedicated to engaging with the local community, promoting participation, and driving real change. I'm also excited to support the club’s vision to develop a new stadium and expand its reach across Swinton, Salford, Greater Manchester and the north west, ensuring that Swinton Lions continues to be a pillar of the community for years to come." Speaking on behalf of the Swinton Lions Board, CEO Steve Wild added, “Upon meeting with Jason last week, initially to discuss the ongoing development of our Foundation, it quickly became apparent that here was a person with impressive business and rugby league related credentials, and someone who might not only fill our vacant position of Foundation Chair, but whose CV could also be of immense value to the club as a whole. “I was therefore delighted when Jason enthusiastically accepted our invitation to join our Board of Directors, to help drive our strategic long term vision. It was clear that Jason and the club share similar goals, especially in terms of driving participation in rugby league through community focus, which also fits in well with our new stadium ambitions. He is very well connected from a potential commercial perspective, and has held several successful senior roles within this sport and other sports. “We believe that the Board and Foundation dual appointment of Jason is a significant coup for our club, and we are delighted to have him on board.”

7 days ago

News

26 Sep, 2024

LIONS EDGED OUT BY DONS

SWINTON LIONS 20 DONCASTER 22 IAN RIGG at Heywood Road, Sunday 22 September 2024 Doncaster confirmed their Championship status with a hard-fought victory and leaves the Lions possibly facing a play off to secure theirs. The visitors took the lead in the fourth minute when Pauli Pauli crashed over on the left taking defenders with him, but Connor Robinson was unable to convert. The Lions hit back four minutes later when Jack Stevens sent Richard Lepori over for a try and Stevens added the conversion. Doncaster then forced a goal line drop out on fourteen minutes and from this pressure on the line and a Robinson pass saw Loui McConnell go in from close range and Robinson added the conversion to put them back ahead. The Lions then had some pressure near the line but the damp conditions were causing handling errors from both sides. Luke Briscoe extended the lead for his side on twenty-two minutes after latching onto a Robinson kick to score on the right, but the conversion was missed. Doncaster forced another goal line drop out just after this and Lewis Hall went short with his kick but could not regather the ball and the visitors were awarded a penalty just after for a tip tackle and Robinson converted it. The Lions then had a purple patch trying to fight back and Jordy Gibson sold a dummy to the defence to go over on the left with four minutes to the break and Stevens added the conversion and they finished the half just two points behind when Stevens landed a penalty for obstruction in the final seconds. Doncaster again started the half strongly and they forced two goal line dropouts in the opening few minutes, but the Lions defence was good and held them out. The Lions had a good chance on fifty-three minutes when Tee Ritson made a seventy metre break up the right wing only to be tackled ten metres short on the last tackle. Stevens levelled the scores on fifty-five minutes with a penalty for holding down and just after the restart in the next set Gibson kicked a forty-twenty and from this the Lions made Doncaster pay when a good passing movement saw Ritson crash over in the right corner to put the Lions ahead, but Stevens was unable to convert from the touchline. Gav Rodden found himself in the sin-bin on sixty-two minutes and just after this Gibson kicked another forty-twenty after Josh Guzdek allowed the ball to bounce, but they could not make anything of this one. McConnell added what turned out to be the Doncaster match winner with thirteen minutes left when he dummied his pass to go over by the posts and Robinson put his team back ahead. The Lions then went back on the attack again trying to claw back some points and twice they got near the line but again handing errors were their downfall. Doncaster came back again in the dying minutes and it too some good defence from the Lions to keep them out. LIONS 25 Richard Lepori 32 Tee Ritson 3 Jake Spedding 4 Jayden Hatton 5 Rhys Williams 18 Jack Stevens 7 Jordy Gibson 13 Mikey Wood 14 Josh Eaves 10 Gavin Bennion 11 Gav Rodden 12 Mitch Cox 16 Lewis Hall Subs (all used) 1 Dan Abram 26 Ant Walker 24 Jordan Case 33 Leon Cowen Tries: Lepori (8), Gibson (36), Ritson (59) Goals: Stevens 4/5 Sin-bin: Rodden (62) DONCASTER 17 Josh Guzdek 5 Luke Briscoe 4 Reece Lyne 23 Jason Tali 30 Bureta Faraimo 24 Watson Boas 7 Connor Robinson 31 Lewis Baxter 13 Loui McConnell 10 Suaia Matagi 12 Alex Sutcliffe 16 Pauli Pauli 28 AJ Wallace Subs (all used) 3 Brad Hey 14 Alex Hodstock 11 Sam Smeaton 25 Ilikya Mafi Tries: Pauli Pauli (4), McConnell (15,67), Briscoe (22) Goals: Robinson 3/5 Penalty count: 3-8 Half-time: 14-16 Referee: Scott Mikalauskas Attendance: 836

7 days ago

News

21 Sep, 2024

SWINTON LIONS CONFIRM M27 PROJECT IS ALIVE

Swinton CEO to become RFL Vice-President, & Mayor confirms Lions are key to city's Rugby strategy At Wednesday’s Rugby Football League Council Meeting, which took place at the AJ Bell Stadium, the Lions’ CEO Steve Wild was confirmed as the incoming RFL Vice-President on a two-year term commencing in January 2025. Steve will share the role and honour with former women’s England international player Danika Priim. Meanwhile, broadcaster Adam Hills MBE, who is well known for his advocacy of inclusive participation in sport, was appointed President elect. Following news of Steve’s impending appointment, the club was delighted to receive a congratulatory message from City of Salford Mayor, Paul Dennett, who re-affirmed the Council’s commitment to working closely with Swinton Lions moving forward. The Mayor said, “Congratulations to Steve Wild, CEO of Swinton Lions, following his election as the Vice-President of the Rugby Football League. “Salford Council have been working with rugby clubs across the city, from the professional level all the way down to the grassroots, to develop our Rugby Strategy for Salford, and Swinton Lions are key partners in this. “I look forward to working with Steve in promoting rugby league at a local and national level, and in making sure our communities and residents here in Salford share in the sporting, health, social and economic benefits the sport can provide.” Upon receiving news of the Vice-Presidency, Steve said, “For someone who grew up supporting the Lions from the terraces at Station Road I am overwhelmed with pride at this appointment, and immensely humbled. Pride not just for me personally, but for everyone associated with our historic club, as hopefully it demonstrates the respect Swinton Lions holds in the sport as a result of our combined efforts. “But just on a personal level it’s almost impossible to justify the hours I continue to commit to Swinton Lions, and on that subject I want to pay tribute to my wife Lesley, and my family, for putting up with it! This club is not a vanity project, it’s seriously challenging and stressful work. “One of my biggest sources of pride has been the emergence of our Foundation - specifically the progress of our Lionesses; our Player Pathway programmes; and our community social impact programmes. Our reach and effectiveness are set to reach new heights in the months and years to come, thanks to the commitment and amazing talent we have within our community team. “I also want to take this opportunity to put on record our Board’s determination to double down on our determination to bring the Lions back to M27, and secure a new long term home venue not only for the Lions, but one which has a true community and cross-sport focus. I’m pleased to report that we are already progressing well in establishing the necessary partnerships that we believe can finally make this 32 year old dream come true. It’s very pleasing in this respect to note the warm and practical support we are currently receiving from Salford City Council. “Work has been progressing for some time behind the scenes on our “M27 Vision”, but as a Board we have admittedly favoured a policy of a quiet and considered approach, rather than go at it all guns blazing and then risk letting people down - conscious as we are of previous false dawns. However, the announcement with regards to the Vice-Presidency, and the public support we are receiving from Paul Dennett and Salford City Council, I think makes this an opportune time to re-iterate our long-term aims for the club. “Further news in respect of the partnerships that we are pulling together, plus other exciting project news and personnel appointments into the club, will follow over the next few days. “In the meantime, I re-iterate once again that I believe we have an amazing Board at Swinton Lions, plus incredible staff, players and volunteer network. We also have the best fans in the sport, and tremendous supporter initiatives, which is demonstrated by the determination and loyalty Swinton fans have collectively demonstrated over these past 32 years. That we are competing competitively in a tough competition such as the Championship in 2024, is I believe, a significant achievement in itself. “Hopefully together we can go on to deliver a sustainable long-term future for the Lions, and if this honorary position can help progress that plan in any way whatsoever, then I’ll be absolutely thrilled.”

2 weeks ago

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