The event, which will be held at the Valley Parade on Thursday, May 8, was seriously suspected a few weeks ago when active Bradford co-chairs James Mason and Charles Dacles called weapons at Odosal Stadium.
It has not been revealed how much the Bantam and the Bulls coughed £15,000 to save the event, but Bulls CEO Jason Hearst has no doubts about how important the annual event will be to continue with the launch of the Bradford Sports Awards this year in Odosal.
He states:
“We ourselves are semi-professional clubs and as professional clubs along with the city, we are Bradford's iconic sports club and we hope that grassroots sports will flourish.
“It is very important that we both intervene to save the award and recognize the countless amount of time volunteers were given to each week.
“It also recognizes that thousands of young children playing sports at the grassroots level want to continue enjoying it, or perhaps going into elite sports.”
Hurst felt the awards became even more important given how much of the spotlight Bradford is in the spotlight this year.
He states: “It is important that a city of Bradford's size falls behind this, and recognizes our sporting talent, especially in our year as a cultural city.
“If it didn't happen in 2025, it would have been a tearful shame, but if it didn't happen in 2026, 2027, 2028, that would have been the case.
“Sports is a great force for good and this city is its best when Bantams and Bulls are on track.
“It's heading towards grassroots sports, it's football, boxing, swimming, etc.”
Back in a better time, Hearst recalls:
“I remember that City was in the Premier League in 2000 and the Bulls were the premier club of the British rugby league, perhaps even in the world.
“Cities were different places back then. Hopefully, Bantam and ourselves have another successful season and we can play our part for the great city that is Bradford.”
Before becoming CEO the following year, Hurst has attended the Bradford Sports Awards several times since initially taking on a role with the Bulls as a Academy and Youth Director in 2021.
He then assures the club is an associate sponsor of the award, saying:
“But likewise, it is proof of the great work James and Charles do for the Bradford Sports Awards run by active Bradford.
“Undoubtedly, taking part in the awards is one of the great highlights of my year.
“As the CEO of the Bulls, I am invited to many events, black tie events, and fewer formal events, which I look forward to going to the most.
“That's because I can relate to grassroots sports myself. It's great to see volunteers being recognized because I'm myself.”
