Information request: We recently received a request for information about some former Scottish and Irish Internationals, from Gavin Willacy who is conducting some research for a book. If anyone thinks they might be able to help him, click here.

Next Edition of League Leader due to be published soon, under the editorship of the new Alumni co-ordinator, Colin Hirons. Colin hails from Oldham and has played for Higginshaw, Saddleworth and Exeter University, the club he founded. He has also represented Oldham, Greater Manchester and Lancashire before he moved to Somerset at the age of 18. Julian Harrison, our former administrator has moved on to the Rugby League Conference where he has become the conference's first full-time official.

Superleague Grand Final / 2000 World Cup The Alumni will once again be offering members discounted tickets and packages for these events. We have £10 and £15 Grand Final tickets on sale to members at £7.50 and £11 respectively, and discounts of up to 25% available for world cup tickets. Contact Colin Hirons at the Alumni for more details about either of these events.

Academic Lions Launch & Dinner The Student Rugby League and the Alumni are proud to announce that an organisation under both bodies called the 'Academic Lions' has been launched. This organisation will recognise their achievement of all those SRL players who have received representative honours at student level i.e. international (World Cup and 4-Nations) or regional championships.

It is intended to hold an annual dinner for all members of this esteemed club to meet and mix. This will also be the occasion where members will be inducted into the 'Student Rugby League Hall of Fame'. The 'Lions' will be officially launched at the first dinner at Headingly on Saturday the 15th July 2000.

We are looking to contact as many people as possible who have played international rugby league in the SRL. Of course, we know about those of you who are current Alumni members, but if you are in touch with people who fall into the 'ex-SRL international' bracket, please either get them to contact us, or give us their contact details. You might also try to sign them up for the Alumni as well! We think this could be the start of something big, and regular events aimed at former Student Rugby League internationals are the long term aim. Your co-operation would be very much appreciated.
See the Forthcoming Events for more details.

SRL Tours The Student Rugby League is currently planning the most ambitious Tour Programme ever. In September they will be sending the Great Britain & Ireland Squad to take on New Zealand (the current World Champions) and Australia (the Ashes holders). This is daunting enough but they are also sending the "Emerging" Great Britain & Ireland Squad to tour the USA as it provides excellent preparation for later major competitions.

In order to achieve these two adventures they need to raise some serious cash and that is where you come into the equation. We are organising three main events and you can get involved in them all. The Grand Draw, A sponsored bike ride round every Superleague club in the country and an Academic Lions Dinner. Click here for more details.

Membership Information I'd like to welcome all new additions to the Alumni membership since the last edition of 'League Leader' was sent out. I hope you will not only enjoy the benefits of membership, but will help us to further develop the Alumni and rugby league generally by getting actively involved - in clubs, events, or even just by contributing to 'League Leader'. The Alumni has enormous potential, and with all members' help as well as our hard work, that potential can be realised.

• Many more long-standing members will be receiving up-to-date membership cards in this edition. I do apologise for the delay in getting these out to you.
• · Thank you to those of you who have returned e-mail forms to the office. Due to a technical hitch, it is likely that those concerned will still be receiving this copy of 'League Leader through the post, but we will endeavour to ensure that the e-mail facility is up and working by the time of the 15th edition.
• · Finally, I'd like to know if long standing members haven't received a Sponsors Card and relevant information. I shall look to ensure that newer members receive their Sponsors Card and info shortly.

Please give me a call if you have any ideas or comments, not simply on 'League Leader' but on the Alumni and rugby league generally. It is always good to hear from members, so please don't hesitate to get in touch.

E-mail
If you are a member of the SRL Alumni, and would rather receive your copy of ‘League Leader’ and/or SRL Alumni letters/mail outs in this way, rather than through the post in the traditional manner, please contact the Alumni office with your E-mail address.

Alumni Update
Many thanks to members who have let me know their new contact addresses/details. As I have mentioned in the past, I do get mail returned to me as the sender because people have moved etc. and not informed me. It proves extremely difficult, if not impossible in some cases, for me to get hold of new contact details if I am not informed by the relevant person. Much to my regret, therefore, such members will be missing out on their copies of 'League Leader' and on Alumni information and development news etc. Please make sure that this doesn't happen to you, by contacting me with new address/phone details.

It is my intention to send out addresses of all Alumni members (apart from those who have informed me that they do not want their contact details circulated) to the membership in the not too distant future. Those of you who belong to other Alumni organisations will perhaps be familiar with this practice. We think this would be a good way of stimulating members into organising local get together, and also to help clubs contact prospective players/organisers etc. in their own area.

I’m interested in helping such get togetherness to get off the ground, and also to help people get in touch with old playing colleagues and their old SRL club etc. Perhaps you would like to get involved in a graduate reunion at your old club, or even initiate such an event? If this appeals to you, just let me know and I’ll see what I can do to help.

There is currently some work going on to reorganise a Durham SRL Alumni, and as a Durham graduate myself, I certainly have an extra reason for wanting this to be successful. All it takes is one or two keen individuals to do a little bit of initial hard work, and you have something up and running that can last. It is happening with Durham and can happen with your old club if it hasn't occurred already. If anyone wants help or further information on this matter, please get in touch with me in the office on 0116 266 9167.

Peter Belson Since the last edition of 'League Leader' the Alumni was extremely sorry to hear the news of the passing away of Peter Belson. Mr Belson had only been an Alumni member for a short while, but was a long standing member of the 'Friends of London Rugby League' and a loyal supporter of the London Broncos. He loved the sport of rugby league, and the SRL Alumni would like to pass on our condolences to Mrs Belson on her sad loss.

Rugby League Studies! If there are any Sports Science students out there undertaking work on rugby league as part of their studies, then BARLA want to hear from you! I have been contacted by Gus Dinn from BARLA who informs me that they are very keen to co-operate with students doing any work on rugby league. Such a co-operation is intended to be mutually beneficial. BARLA get to hear of your study, and you get the assistance of BARLA with your work. Anyone interested, please give me a ring in the office on 0116 2669167.