Calderdale College is delighted to announce it is one of the Halifax Panthers’ official shirt sponsors for the upcoming season.

This follows the signing of a Service Level Agreement with Halifax Panthers until July 2024 for its U19s Rugby Academy.

The Halifax Panthers Academy provides a pathway from college rugby into the first team squad. The programme allows student athletes studying at Calderdale College to begin their rugby career with a professional league club, whilst gaining a nationally-recognised BTEC qualification.

John Rees, Principal and Chief Executive of Calderdale College said, “We are tremendously proud and excited to be strengthening our partnership with the Halifax panthers as one of their official shirt sponsors. Like us, the club have been part of the Calderdale community for more than a century so were delighted to team up with them on this venture, which brings two like-minded organisations together.

“Calderdale College has been working with The Panthers for many years as their Official Education Partner, delivering recognised qualifications and first-class rugby coaching to young people within our district and beyond. We share the desire to deliver excellence in skills training both on and off the pitch and collectively give students a route into the first team.

“We look forward to growing our relationship with the club further this season.”

Panthers Commercial Director, Steve Lambert said,” This is a great opportunity for the club and the College to come together, combining sport and education for the benefit of young people in Calderdale and beyond. With over 30 students enrolled currently and a growing girls academy, these are exciting times for us all, hopefully producing playing talent for both The Panthers first team and the Women’s team. As a further indication of our growing relationship the College Logo will be displayed on the new 2022 playing kit and on all Replica Shirts”.