Festival scores Millers' support

Rotherham United players took a short break from their preparations for Wembley this week to show their support for another major event.

Ryan Taylor, Ian Sharps and Jamie Green were at the Magna Science and Adventure Centre yesterday (Tuesday 25th) to mark the club's official support for the Rotherham Children and Young People's Festival which takes place at the visitor attraction from June 21 to July 9. They were joined by representatives from Rotherham Titans who have also pledged their sporting support to the event.

Councillor Paul Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People's Services, said: "We are really grateful to the players for taking some time out this week to help support our event and we're certainly supporting their efforts to win at Wembley and take the Millers into League One.

"Like a play-off final, the Festival is going to be an exciting event for hundreds of young people right here in Rotherham and to have both our sports teams backing it is a great boost for everyone involved."

Rotherham United's Commercial Director Steve Coakley, said: "It is vitally important that the Football Club are at the heart of events such as these.

"We are trying to encourage the next generation of supporters to follow the Millers, and it is community events, like this one, that are vital if we are to see these youngsters at Rotherham United matches for years to come. My thanks to the lads for taking time out at this busy time to help promote this project."

Richard Finney, Chief Executive of the Titans Community Foundation, said: "This event at Magna is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all the interesting and diverse activities for young people going on in our town.

"The Titans players really enjoy working with what is literally thousands of young people across the borough throughout the year. As excellent role models they are able to encourage and motivate the youngsters to improve in number of different areas of their school work."

The Festival brings together a range of events under one roof including the Rotherham Children's Book Awards, the Roscars, a Shakespeare Festival and Summer Proms.

Matthew Beck, Managing Director at Magna, said: "We are thrilled to be hosting the Children's Festival at Magna, this will be an amazing opportunity for schools in the local area and where better to hold it than at Magna.

"The sheer size and scope of Magna makes it perfect for hosting the wide range of events, from workshops through to huge performances. We will be giving all the school children a voucher to visit Magna for free in the next 12 months and look forward to welcoming them all through the door."