Bradford Bulls star Elliott Whitehead took time out from his busy pre-season plans to hand out season passes to junior players at Birkenshaw RLFC this weekend.

The community clubs first event of 2013 was held in conjunction with the Bulls Ambassador Programme and Player Adoption Programme which is run by the clubs Foundation, and all the youngsters received a Rugby League Bronze Skills Award Certificate as well as a pass.

“What the Bulls are doing for the grass roots clubs in the area is exceptional,” said Birkenshaw Chairman Andy Redmond.

“We seem to have been forgotten about in recent years, however, Richard Tate (Bulls Development Officer) has embraced Francis Cummins philosophy of nurturing local talent in the hope of seeing more home grown players pulling on a Bulls jersey in the not too distant future.”

Birkenshaw has held a long established history of running junior sides but after the loss of their home ground and changing facilities a number of years ago, they were no longer able to continue to run a junior section. However, the club now has a permanent base again and plans to improve the changing facilities at its East Bierley home.

The club will be operating three junior sides this season with under-7s, under-8s and under-9s all taking to the field, whilst the under-8s side will be playing on the Provident Stadium pitch at half-time during the Bulls opening Super League game against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday.

Anyone wishing to get involved should contact Andy on 07876 692318.