Rugby League Ireland (RLI) has announced an exciting new development scheme which could see the sport of rugby league take a big step forward at amateur international level in 2011.

The Wolfhounds have put a call out to all talented athletes and sports players in Ireland and the United Kingdom who are interested in getting involved in the sport, to apply to RLI to be included in a number of development camps in Dublin in late December and the New Year.

Alan Robinson, who will take charge of Ireland´s forthcome trip to take on the USA, firmly believes there is untapped talent available across the country that RLI can utilise. "Rugby league is a sport which is very easy to access; you don't have to be a rugby player. We have some exciting tournaments and international games coming up next year, by putting out a call such as this we hope to unearth some new talent that may not previously have had access to the sport and be aware of what it offers."

Robinson who has been involved in playing rugby league for the past 15 years continued, "I went to university in Coventry in 1995 and gave rugby league a try. I was lucky enough to be handed the opportunity to play in one of the first Irish international squads in 1996 when we played and won against the USA in Washington DC. Since then I went on to play professionally and also founded the Coventry Bears Rugby League club. I firmly believe that RLI has a lot to offer players who have the aspiration to play for their country."

The scheme kicks-off later this month when there will be an introductory session in Dublin on 28th December.

RLI Development Manager, Brendan Guilfoyle is excited about the new initiative, "We have to start early as our first big event will be the Saint Patrick's Day challenge match against the USA in March, the game is to be played on 17th March in Philadelphia and will be a huge event based around the cities St Patrick's celebrations.

This event is the first of many in the New Year so we want to begin to pool both new and old players for training and selection as soon as possible."

Interested players can apply through the Rugby League Ireland website by filling out the downloadable player information form; successful players will then be invited to training on December 28th. Further training days will be available in the Ireland and the UK in the new year.

The Wolfhounds are also seeking new sponsors for the forthcoming trip to the USA on St Patricks day for a sponsorship pack please contact [email protected]