Hemel Stags will host this year’s Southern Regional Men’s Carnival at the Hetfordshire club’s Pennine Way home on Sunday 29 September.

The annual festival involves the best committed open age men’s players from the London, East, West and Midlands regions playing shortened, festival-style fixtures, and offers those players a pathway to the England Community Lions squad. The festival returned in 2023 following Covid-enforced hiatus and was won by London Region.

Chris Chatten, England Community Lions Southern Representative, said:

“With its convenient location and twin pitches, Hemel Stags’ Pennine Way ground is an ideal carnival venue, as well as being one of the few in the south where the Rugby League club holds a lease on the facility.

‘’We’re looking to build on last year’s resurrection of the carnival and programme to be able to give some of our players a higher level playing opportunity, and recognise their ability and commitment to the sport.”

The regional coaching and management groups will be announced shortly, with further programme details and squads being announcement during week commencing 16 September.