The COVID roadmap is set and game weekend is finally just round the corner for Whitehaven RLFC as the team gears up to take on Dewsbury Rams in their first match of the season.

Ahead of the game on Saturday, March 20, the squad is raring to go according to the team’s coach Gary ‘Cahrlo’ Charlton.

The coach said he is hopeful for the upcoming season after the ‘stop-start’ months prior, due to the COVID pandemic.

Charlo said: “Hopefully things are looking up at the recre for the coming season, we have quite a few new faces on the playing roster and are looking forward to the season ahead.

“We have brought in some familiar faces in Greg McNally and Liam Cooper plus three Aussies in Ryan King, Williams and Walmsley to go with some seasoned professionals and youngsters with ability – hopefully just need a chance to kick on in this game.

“Pre-season has been a bit of a stop-start situation, but we are well into it now and all the coaches are happy which way we are travelling at present. 

“Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Newcastle Thunder was a great blow out for some of our lads and we were very happy with what we saw. Hopefully we can take that on into the Dewsbury game this Saturday.”

This month marks one year since the Dewsbury squad travelled to the Whitehaven ground which unfortunately turned out to be Haven’s last game of 2020.

Charlo added: “We believe once we get up and running, we will be very competitive in a very hard league, but the proof will come in the next month or two. 

“Hopefully it won’t be too long before we get the crowds back in and hopefully make the Rec a ground no team wants to come and play at! We are raring to go.”

Although fans aren’t able to attend matches for a while, they are able to watch the match via a platform created in the wake of COVID called ‘Our League’ which is ran by the RL, supporters can visit here for more information on viewing the matches.