Leeds Rugby Foundation Vice President Greg Mulholland MP, has been selected for the Great Britain Masters rugby league squad which will play against Australia on Saturday 12th July. Greg will become the first MP to play for his country at rugby league when he pulls on the famous shirt.
Greg is Vice President of the Leeds Rugby Foundation and a Leeds Rhinos fan and visited Headingley Stadium, to wear his Great Britain shirt on the famous Headingley Carnegie Stadium pitch and to receive congratulations from Leeds Rugby Chief Executive, Gary Hetherington on behalf of the club.
Masters rugby is a version of the sport played by over 35s and has in recent years become very popular. Players wear different coloured shorts depending on their age, but being under 45, Greg at 43 will be playing full contact tackling and is relishing the chance to play against the Australians in their famous green and gold jerseys.
Greg, who plays for two Rugby League Masters teams – Political Animals and Leeds Akkies – is part of the 20 man squad playing against the Australian Masters team at Crosfields, Warrington on Saturday.
Greg is Club Captain of the Political Animals, the club and also plays when he can for his local club, Leeds Akkies who are based in Cookridge, north Leeds, at Old Modernians sports club. Greg is also the Chair of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group.
Greg joins Leeds Akkies team mate and fellow winger Keith Hill and Gary Nugent and Carl Wilson from Leeds Masters all in the squad, meaning Leeds are very well represented with all four looking to represent their country with pride and do their city and clubs proud.
Commenting Greg Mulholland MP said,
“It is a huge honour for me to be in the Great Britain Masters squad to play against Australia Masters at rugby league.
“I have to say my selection was a big surprise, but a huge thrill and an honour, to be able to pull on the famous Great Britain shirt is something that all British rugby league players dream of. I am sure my teammates all feel the same and it is really is special to be taking part in this match.
“Masters is fantastic form of our great game that enables us older players to carry on playing long after we thought we’d have hung up our boots.
“To play against Australian in their iconic green and gold shirts is the ultimate challenge in rugby league. Masters rugby league is always played in a great spirit and Saturday will be no different, but during the course of the game, it will be as you would expect with any Great Britain v Australia clash and I and my Great Britain team mates will be pushing the old bodies as hard as we can to do our country proud!”
Leeds Rugby Chief Executive, Gary Hetherington said:
“Here at the Leeds Rugby Foundation, we are delighted that our very own Vice President, Greg, has been selected for such a prestigious match. Greg is a huge supporter of the Foundation and I was delighted to welcome him to the Headingley Carnegie Stadium to personally congratulate him. Leeds Rugby Foundation are keen supporters of Masters Rugby League and we wish Greg and the Great Britain team all the best for their game against Australia.”
Greg joins, Leeds Masters players, Gary Nugent and Carl Wilson in the squad.