title: Humphead wrasse

text: Unsustainable and severe overfishing within the live reef food fish trade is the primary threat. Sabah, on Borneo Island, is a major source of humphead wrasses. The fishing industry is vital to this state because of its severe poverty. The export of humphead wrasses out of Sabah has led to a roughly 99% decline in the area's population. In an effort to protect it, export of the humphead wrasse out of Sabah has been banned; however, it has not prevented illegal, unreported and unregulated activities. Protection by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is managed in this area by the federal Department of Fisheries Malaysia, , which issues permits to regulate fishing activity. Two pieces of legislation have also been implemented to protect the species: The Fisheries Act 1985 controls the transport of live fish and prohibits destructive fishing techniques; and the Trade of Endangered Species Act 2008 supports Malaysia's adoption of CITES.


title: Humphead wrasse

text: The humphead wrasse is considered an umbrella species, which means many other species are sympatric with it and have much smaller ranges—thus the conservation of the humphead wrasse's habitat would benefit these other species as well. Understanding the concept of an umbrella species can lead to a better understanding of endangered species protection.


title: Humphead wrasse

text: The humphead wrasse has historically been fished commercially in northern Australia, but has been protected in Queensland since 2003 and in Western Australia since 1998.


title: Humphead wrasse

text: In Guangdong Province, southern mainland China, permits are required for the sale of the species. Indonesia allows fishing only for research, mariculture and licensed artisanal fishing. The Maldives instituted an export ban in 1995; Papua New Guinea prohibits export of fish over ; and Niue has banned all fishing for this species.


title: Humphead wrasse

text: The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has classified the humphead wrasse as a species of concern—one about which it has concerns, but for which it has insufficient information to list under the Endangered Species Act.


title: Humphead wrasse

text: In Taiwan it is a protected species with fines of between NT$300,000 and $1.5 million and jail sentences of between 6 months and 5 years under the Wildlife Conservation act for hunting or killing of the species having been added to the protection list in 2014.


title: Humphead wrasse

text: In 1996, following a decade of rapid population decline, the humphead wrasse was placed on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. The wrasse's genomes must be analyzed to help keep the species alive.


title: Humphead wrasse

text: Since so little was known about the wrasse's genetic relationships at a geographical scale, researchers utilized a test using microsatellite loci to facilitate population genetic studies. (DNA markers could not be used for testing, as the humphead wrasse lack such markers.) Of the 15 microsatellite loci used in the test, only four seemed to have different outcomes than the other 11. These loci were all prone to null alleles. However, with the presence of these null alleles, the results may have been slightly biased, or they may be related to a particularity of the "C. undulatus", which are highly restricted to coral reef habitats.


title: Humphead wrasse

text: The Philippines, Indonesia and Sabah Malaysia are the three largest exporters of the humphead wrasse. It has one of the highest retail values in Asia, especially when caught alive, and it is considered a delicacy in places like Malaysia. Illegal, unregulated and unreported activities have been identified as the major factor for the failure of conservation efforts. Although the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has banned its export, the fish are still smuggled across the Malaysia–Philippines border.


title: Humphead wrasse

text: Most exports of the humphead wrasse in Malaysia occur in Sandakan, Papar and Tawau, where the fish could recently be purchased for between US$45.30 and $69.43, with its retail price ranging from $60.38 to $120.36.


title: 10th century

text: The 10th century was the period from 901 (CMI) through 1000 (M) in accordance with the Julian calendar, and the last century of the 1st millennium.


title: 10th century

text: In China the Song dynasty was established. The Muslim World experienced a cultural zenith, especially in al-Andalus under the Caliphate of Córdoba and in the Samanid Empire under Ismail Samani. Additionally, there was a cultural flourishing for the Byzantine Empire and the First Bulgarian Empire.


title: 10th century

text: The Medievalist and historian of technology Lynn White said that "to the modern eye, it is very nearly the darkest of the Dark Ages ... if it was dark, it was the darkness of the womb". Similarly, Helen Waddell wrote that the 10th century was that which "in the textbooks disputes with the seventh the bad eminence, the nadir of the human intellect". Caesar Baronius famously described it as the Iron Century, because it was ‘iron in its harshness and in its sterility of goodness', while Lorenzo Valla gave it the similar name "Age of Lead and Iron".


title: Stefania (song)

text: "Stefania" (, ) is a 2022 song by Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra, co-written by all group members alongside Ivan Klymenko and was released through Sony Music Entertainment. The song represented Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, which it won.


title: Stefania (song)

text: "Stefania" has been described as an alternative hip hop and folk song. It is the third song sung entirely in Ukrainian to represent Ukraine at Eurovision, but the second to compete at the contest following the cancellation of Eurovision 2020. The song won the contest with 631 points, becoming the first rap song and the first song sung entirely in Ukrainian to win. "Stefania" charted in twenty-two music markets, topping the charts in Ukraine and Lithuania, while also reaching the top ten within Finland, Croatia, Iceland, Hungary and Sweden.


title: Stefania (song)

text: "Stefania" has been described as an ode to a mother, with the narrator speaking of good memories of his own mother. The song initially talks about how much his mother has aged, invoking a nostalgic past. The song later addresses the hardships of a mother, with the narrator realizing how much the mother has done for him. A "lullaby", within the end of each rap verse, brings the narrator back to when his mother took care of him. The song is dedicated to frontman Oleh Psiuk's mother, who is also named Stefania. Two days after Kalush Orchestra was chosen to represent Ukraine in Eurovision, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and "Stefania" subsequently became a popular wartime soundtrack on social media.


title: Stefania (song)

text: Two traditional Ukrainian woodwind instruments are featured heavily in the song: the sopilka and the telenka.


title: Stefania (song)

text: On 10 March 2022, the video of the performance of "Stefania" from "" was posted on the Eurovision YouTube channel. The music video for the song, directed by Max Ksjonda, was released on 15 May, shortly after the song won Eurovision. The video was filmed in April in the cities of Bucha, Irpin, Borodianka, and Hostomel, all of which had been attacked during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The video depicts military women in destroyed cities taking numerous children away from burning and bombed-out buildings, and returning them to their mothers.


title: Stefania (song)

text: According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 25 January 2022, an allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Ukraine was placed into the first semi-final held on 10 May 2022, and performed in the first half of the show. Kalush Orchestra advanced to the grand final, which they went on to win.


title: Stefania (song)

text: At the end of the jury vote, Ukraine finished in 4th place. The 439 points received by Ukraine from the televote in the final are the most televoting points received in the contest's history to date, and Ukraine also received points from every country in the televote (with all but Malta, North Macedonia and Serbia giving the country 10 or 12 points). Ukraine was just 29 points from the highest possible score from the televoting.


title: Stefania (song)

text: "Stefania" was an entry in , a televised music competition used to determine Ukraine's entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. The selection of the competing entries for took place over three stages. In the first stage, artists and songwriters had the opportunity to apply for the competition through an online submission form. Twenty-seven acts were longlisted and announced on 17 January 2022. The second stage was a scheduled audition at designated dates and featured the twenty-seven acts in the longlist. Eight acts were selected to advance, which were announced on 24 January 2022. The third stage was the final, which took place on 12 February 2022 and featured the eight acts vying to represent Ukraine in Turin. The winner was selected via a 50/50 combination of votes from a public televote and a three-member expert jury, consisting of and Ukrainian entrants Tina Karol and Jamala, alongside a board member of Suspilne (the national public broadcaster in Ukraine).


title: Stefania (song)

text: Artists and composers had the opportunity to submit their entries between 14 December 2021 and 10 January 2022. Only artists that had not performed in a concert in Russia since 2014 or entered the territory of Crimea since 2014 were able to apply for the competition. A selection panel including the music producer of the show, Mykhailo Koshevy, and the television producer of the show, Oleksiy Honcharenko, reviewed the 284 submissions, and twenty-seven entries that had been longlisted were announced on 17 January 2022. Auditions were later held at the My Dream Space venue in Kyiv where eight entries were shortlisted to compete in the national final. On 24 January 2022, the eight selected competing acts were announced. In the "Vidbir" final, held on 12 February, Alina Pash emerged as the winner with the song "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors", but she ultimately declined her position after being involved in a controversy for having breached the rule barring competitors from having traveled to Russia or Crimea. As a result, Kalush Orchestra were offered to represent Ukraine in replacement of Pash. On 22 February, the group accepted the offer.


title: Stefania (song)

text: After winning the Eurovision Song Contest, Kalush Orchestra collected 54 million hryvnias in support of Ukraine through its concerts, charity meetings and auctions. This amount does not include funds from joint concerts with other artists. The group subsequently embarked on a promotional tour across Europe and North America to collect donations in support of Ukraine. European viewers were urged to donate to the "Save Ukrainian Culture" initiative, created with the support of the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture.


title: Stefania (song)

text: On the eve of Ukrainian Independence Day, 23 August, Kalush Orchestra announced a 24-hour fundraiser of 24 hryvnias for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol.


title: Stefania (song)

text: During their time at London's Glastonbury Festival in June 2022, Kalush Orchestra performed "Stefania" for female volunteers who help Ukrainian refugees in London. The group additionally performed the song at the Royal Horse Guards Parade in front of the Palace of Whitehall in central London.


title: Stefania (song)

text: In August 2022, Kalush Orchestra performed in the Italian city of Monopoli at the Madonna della Madia festival, with the participation of Ukrainian immigrant children, who danced and sang "Stefania" on stage.


title: Stefania (song)

text: Since Kalush Orchestra's Eurovision win, 68 children have been named Stefania. This was reported in the press service of the Ministry of Justice.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: St Helens R.F.C. is a professional rugby league club in St Helens, Merseyside who compete in the Super League, the top tier for rugby league in Great Britain.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: They are the current Champions, having won the last 4 consecutive titles, and become the first team in super league history to do so.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Formed in 1873, St Helens are one of the 22 original members of the Northern Rugby Football Union and have been league champions on 16 occasions. St Helens are also the third most successful side in the Challenge Cup with 13 wins in 23 Final appearances. St Helens are founding members of the Super League and are one of only four teams to have appeared in every season since its creation in 1996.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Since 1961 the club's home colours have been white, with a red "V" on the jersey. St Helens play their home games at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens, having moved from their previous home, Knowsley Road, in 2012.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: St Helens are the oldest members of the Rugby Football League. Founded as St Helens Football Club on 19 November 1873 at the Fleece Hotel by William Douglas Herman, they played their first ever match on 31 January 1874 against Liverpool Royal Infirmary. They became known as St Helens Rangers up until the 1880s. The club moved from the City Ground in 1890 where they had shared with St Helens Recs when neither were members of the Northern Rugby Football Union. They defeated Manchester Rangers in the first match played at Knowsley Road.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: In 1895 the club were one of 22 clubs that resigned from the Rugby Football Union and established the Northern Union. The first match of the new code was an 8–3 win at home to Rochdale Hornets before 3,000 spectators, Bob Doherty scoring St Helens' first try. They played in a vertically striped blue and white jersey—a stark contrast to the well known broad red band which would become the kit for the club later. The club reverted to this kit for one season during the rugby league centenary season in 1995.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The Challenge Cup was launched in 1897 and it was St Helens who contested its first final with Batley, at Headingley, Leeds. The "Gallant Youths" of Batley emerged victorious 10–3, with Dave "Red" Traynor scoring the lone St Helens' try.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Between 1897 and 1901, St Helens were not successful, even generally considered a mid—table side.<ref name="1897/1898 Lancashire League Table"></ref><ref name="1898/1899 Lancashire League Table"></ref><ref name="1899/1900 Lancashire League Table"></ref> They finished second to bottom in the 1900–01 Lancashire League season, meaning they did not qualify to compete in the national league the year later. In the 1901–02 season, however, they did finish third in the Lancashire league.<ref name="1901/1902 League Tables"></ref> In 1902–03, the combined Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues saw St Helens enter for the first time. St Helens were placed in Division 1 but finished next to bottom and suffered relegation.<ref name="1902/1903 Division 1 League Table"></ref> Promotion was gained at the first attempt,<ref name="1903/1904 Division 2 League Table"></ref> only for another poor year to see them finish once again in a relegation position.<ref name="1904/1905 Division 1 League Table"></ref> However the two Divisions became one League to save the club from a second relegation.<ref name="1905/1906 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref> The Champion fortunes that St Helens fans' greet today were certainly not apparent in this period, with the club finishing fourth to bottom in 1907,<ref name="1906/1907 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref> third to bottom in 1908,<ref name="1907/1908 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref> and consistently mid—table between 1909 and 1913.<ref name="1908/1909 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1909/1910 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1910/1911 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1911/1912 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1912/1913 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref>


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: On 14 June 1913, St Helens Recs joined the Northern Union after defecting from rugby union and association football. The Recs were based individually at the City Road ground, after previously sharing with St Helens, before their move to Knowsley Road, when neither played rugby league. The Recs played their first game on 6 September 1913. St Helens now had two professional rugby league teams. In both sides first year in co—existence, St Helens finished yet again in a disappointing low mid—table finish.<ref name="1913/1914 Emergency War League Table"></ref>


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: During the First World War, St Helens struggled to compete and failed to complete the full fixture list of the Emergency War League on two occasions,<ref name="1915/1916 Emergency War League Table"></ref><ref name="1916/1917 Emergency War League Table"></ref><ref name="1917/1918 Emergency War League Table"></ref> with the club finishing mid—table in the first year of the war,<ref name="1914/1915 Emergency War League Table"></ref> as well as being beaten by 37 points to 3 by Huddersfield in that year's Challenge Cup Final.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The aftermath of the war was still taking its toll on national sport, not merely the club's ability to compete and complete fixtures, on 31 January 1918 'close down' due to a lack of finances following a 22–0 defeat by Widnes. Saints re-open on 25 December 1918 and are beaten 20 points to nil by St Helens Recs in a friendly fixture at City Road. In the shortened 1918–1919 season, St Helens played only nine times.<ref name="1918/1919 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref> The club's lack of success and disappointing league finishes continued for another seven seasons.<ref name="1919/1920 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1920/1921 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1921/1922 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1922/1923 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1923/1924 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1924/1925 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref><ref name="1925/1926 Northern Football Union League Table"></ref>


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The club defeated town rivals the Recs in the Lancashire County Cup Final by 10 points to 2 in the 1926–27 season.<ref name="1926/1927 Lancashire Cup Final"></ref> The season after, they were trophyless, finishing tenth in a 28—team league.<ref name="1928/1929 Lancashire Final"></ref> One year after the Challenge Cup's début at Wembley, St Helens reached the final there where they were defeated by 10 points to 3 by Widnes in 1930. They won their first ever National Championship in the 1931–32 season,<ref name="1931/1932 National League Table"></ref> defeating Huddersfield 9–5 in the final.<ref name="1931/1932 National League Final"></ref> This was the same season that they won their second Lancashire League,<ref name="1930/1931 Lancashire League Table"></ref> the first coming in the 1929–30 season.<ref name="1929/1930 Lancashire League Table"></ref> They lost the 1933 Lancashire Cup Final to Warrington, whilst finishing in no competitive position in the league once more.<ref name="1932/1933 National League Table"></ref> St Helens reached no finals or achieved any more honours during the remainder of the 1930s. Also, what appeared to be building as something of an inter—town derby between the two St Helens clubs was struck down as St Helens Recs played their last game on 29 April 1939, as, due to the economic depression, it was not possible for the town to sustain two teams.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Like during the First World War, the club could not enjoy having a full—time squad during the Second World War and struggled to compete. They did not compete in the National Championship until a 17 team Emergency War League was formed in the 1941–42 season,<ref name="1941/1942 Emergency War League Table"></ref> and did not win any regional honours. They finished bottom of the EWL in seasons 1942–43<ref name="1942/1943 Emergency War League Table"></ref> and 1943–44<ref name="1943/1944 Emergency War League Table"></ref> and next-to-bottom in 1944–45.<ref name="1944/1945 Emergency War League Table"></ref>


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The club's fortunes that had seen them be successful so rarely the decade previous did not change in the 1940s. After the commitments of the Second World War, St Helens still found it hard to compete, and the trend of finishing as a mid—table side was once more apparent.<ref name="1945/46 National League Table"></ref><ref name="1946/47 National League Table"></ref><ref name="1947/48 National League Table"></ref><ref name="1948/49 National League Table"></ref><ref name="1949/50 National League Table"></ref> The first two years of the 1950s, the last two years of Peter Lyons' reign, also ended trophyless.<ref name="1950/51 National League Table"></ref><ref name="1951/52 National League Table"></ref>


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The arrival of Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1952 heralded a successful era for St Helens, and helped to establish the club as a respected force in British and eventually world rugby league. Under Sullivan, St Helens reached, and lost, the 1952–53 Challenge Cup final. They didn't have long to wait for trophies as St Helens won the Lancashire Leagues, in 1952–53, The 1953 Championship final against Halifax was held at Manchester City's Maine Road ground; in front of a crowd of over 50,000, Saints won their second Championship 24–14. They also won the 1953 Lancashire Cup, beating Wigan 16–8 at Swinton, the first time the two old rivals had clashed in a major final, Saints.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Sullivan took Saints to their first victory in the Challenge Cup final (against Halifax in 1956), On Saturday 24 November 1956, St Helens inflicted a touring Australia its biggest ever defeat with a 44–2 win.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The following year saw Saints win the 1956-7 Lancashire League 1956–57 and they won it again in 1958–59.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Ex—St Helens captain and prop-forward Alan Prescott took over from Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1959. Perhaps the golden era of the club came in the 1960s, as well as more lately in the Super League era. With a galaxy of stars including Tom van Vollenhoven, Alex Murphy, Dick Huddart, Cliff Watson, Ray French and Vince Karalius, the 1960s was a decade of great success for the Saints. In Prescott's first season as coach he lifted the Lancashire League in the 1959–60 season. During this decade, the recognisable 'red vee' strip first appeared in 1961 for the final against Wigan. St Helens won this epic 12–6, and the kit has since become synonymous with the club. Mick Sullivan joined Saints for £11,000, then a record transfer fee. They won the Lancashire Cup in the 1961–62 season, with a 25–9 success over Swinton (at Central Park, Wigan) seeing yet more silverware come St Helens' way under the management of Prescott. After his departure in 1962, Stan McCormick led the club to retaining the Lancashire Cup in his first year, again beating Swinton; and St Helens made it a quadruplet of Lancashire Cup successes with wins against Leigh in 1964, and once more Swinton in 1965, the latter success under coach Joe Coan. St Helens won the Western Division Championship under McCormick's rule, beating Swinton 10–7. St Helens, under coach Joe Coan, lost the 1964–65 Championship final to Halifax at Station Road, Swinton.<ref name="1964/65 Championship Final"></ref> The 1965 New Zealand tourists appeared at Knowsley Road on Wednesday 15 September. Saints inflicted a 28–7 defeat on their visitors, their biggest loss of the tour. A League and Cup double was achieved under Coan in the 1965–66 season, whilst they lost the Floodlit Trophy final against Castleford. St Helens were beaten by Wakefield Trinity in the 1967 Rugby Football League Championship Final at Station Road, Swinton on 10 May 1967 by 20 points to 9 in a replay, after a 7–7 draw 4 days earlier. This would be Coan's last year in charge at St Helens after a highly successful period as boss. He was replaced by Cliff Evans.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Evans' first full season in charge at the club saw him win the club's eighth Lancashire Cup in 1968; winning 13–10 against Warrington after a replay. St Helens retained the Lancashire Cup the year later, whilst also winning the Lancashire League for being the highest placed Lancashire side in the National standings,<ref name="1968/69 League Tables"></ref> and they also reached the final of the Floodlit Trophy that season, where they were beaten 7–4 by Wigan. The 1969–70 season would be the year that Evans would leave his post, but not without winning a National Championship, beating Leeds in the final after finishing third overall.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The 1970s were also seen as a successful spell for St Helens, as they reached three Challenge Cup finals in the period. Jim Challinor took over from Cliff Evans in 1970, and in his first season, he won the Championship,<ref name="1970/71 League Tables"></ref> and reached two finals, the Lancashire Cup and Floodlit Trophy, losing both. In this season, a European Championship—not dissimilar to today's World Club Challenge—was contested between St Helens and French champions St Gaudens. Over a two—legged game, St Helens won 92–11 on aggregate.<ref name="1970/71 European Championship Final 1st Leg"></ref><ref name="1970/71 European Championship Final 2nd Leg"></ref> In their first Challenge Cup Final of the 1970s, they defeated Leeds in 1972 16–13, in addition to winning their first Floodlit Trophy, after losing out in the final three times before, with an 8–2 win over Rochdale. The club reached the Championship final in that season, but were beaten. No success was achieved in seasons 1972–73 and 1973–74, with St Helens finishing third and second in the respective years.<ref name="1972/73 League Tables"></ref><ref name="1973/74 League Tables"></ref> This could be a possible reason for Jim Challinor's replacement with Eric Ashton as head coach. In Ashton's first season in charge, St Helens won the Championship,<ref name="1974/75 League Tables"></ref> and contested the inaugural Premiership Final, losing 26–11 to Leeds. They repeated their first Challenge Cup success of the 1970s three years after the first against Widnes in 1976 where they were victorious by 20–5 in the famous 'Dads Army' final. They also won the Premiership against Salford, and the Floodlit Trophy against Dewsbury in a successful season. In the same year, St Helens lost to Eastern Suburbs in an unofficial World Club Challenge Final by 25 points to 2. The club won the Premiership in 1977, but, on 13 December 1977, Saints lost 26–11 to Hull Kingston Rovers in the final of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy. In 1978 Leeds avenged their 1972 loss against St Helens, emerging winners by 14–12. St Helens lost the Floodlit Trophy in the 1978–79 season, going down to Widnes. The 1979–80 season was unsuccessful, with St Helens finishing mid—table.<ref name="1979/80 League Tables"></ref> Eric Ashton left the club after this disappointing year.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Former club player and Welsh international Kel Coslett took over as coach in June 1980. However, his spell as coach was not nearly as successful as his spell as a player, and St Helens won nothing whilst under Coslett's command, finishing mid-table in both seasons.<ref name="1980/81 League Tables"></ref><ref name="1981/82 League Tables"></ref> He held the post for two years before handing over to Billy Benyon. Not in-keeping with several of his predecessors, Benyon did not enjoy any success in his first season as St Helens coach, losing the Lancashire Cup final of that year to Warrington. Nothing was won in the 1983–84 season,<ref name="1983/84 League Tables"></ref> but Saints won back the Lancashire Cup, with a 26–18 win at Wigan in the 1984–85 season. They also won the Premiership in the same season with a 36–16 victory over defending champions Hull Kingston Rovers at Elland Road in Leeds. The 1984–85 season saw the arrival (for one season only) of giant Australian international centre Mal Meninga who quickly became a crowd favourite at Knowsley Road. In Benyon's last season as coach, 1985–86, nothing was won.<ref name="1985/86 League Tables"></ref>


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The arrival of Alex Murphy as coach in 1986 produced some colourful displays from a team that was widely regarded as an entertaining team to watch, but seemed to be constant runners-up. This was illustrated by the defeat by Halifax in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, 19–18, in 1987. Success was achieved in 1988 when St Helens lifted their one and only John Player Trophy with a 15–14 victory over Leeds in January 1988, at Central Park, Wigan. Neil Holding with the crucial, match-winning drop-goal. They, however, lost to Widnes in the Premiership Final at Old Trafford at the end of the season, further showing this team's ability to get to finals and not be able to compete on the best stage. Nothing was achieved in the next two seasons,<ref name="1988/89 League Tables"></ref><ref name="1989/90 League Tables"></ref> including a defeat in the 1989 Challenge Cup Final and Murphy stood down as coach.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Murphy was succeeded by Mike McClennan in February 1990. In his first season, McClennan took St Helens to the 1991 Challenge Cup Final, where they were defeated by 13 points to 8 by Wigan. They won the Lancashire Cup, in the 1991–92 season, beating Rochdale Hornets. They also lost the Premiership Final that season, losing to Wigan. In 1993 the club avenged their defeat by Wigan the season previous to win the Premiership, in the same season that they won the Charity Shield, and lost the Lancashire Cup final. McClennan was head coach until December 1993, when Eric Hughes succeeded him as head coach in 1994. Under Hughes, St Helens only reached the one, Regal Trophy Final, where they lost to Wigan in 1996 by 25 to 16. They finished fourth in both of Hughes' seasons in charge.<ref name="1994/95 League Tables"></ref><ref name="1995/96 League Tables"></ref> The lack of trophies in the St Helens cabinet, after the club had suddenly become so accustomed to success, would need to change in the "new" brand Super League that formed in 1996; hence Hughes' departure in 1996 and replacement with Australian Shaun McRae.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Following on from their most constant ambition for successes, first experienced really in the 1960s, Saints became one of the most successful side of the summer era. Since the inception of Super League in 1996, they have won the title on eight occasions, and have added seven Challenge Cups to their five previous successes. Indeed, they won the inaugural Super League, albeit by finishing top of the league before the play—off era. St Helens defeated Bradford 8–6 in the 1999 Super League Grand Final, their first Grand Final, with more than 50,000 people witnessing Chris Joynt lift the trophy at Old Trafford. They also won the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007, beating Brisbane both times.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The success of the Saints in Super League began under the leadership of Shaun McRae in 1996. During his tenure the club won one league title (1996), a year in which he was named Super League's coach of the year, and enjoyed back—to—back successes over Bradford in the Challenge Cup (1996 and 1997). St Helens lost consecutive Premiership finals to Wigan in 1996, and 1997. 1998 proved to be a trophyless year, and Ellery Hanley succeeded McRae in 1999, after the Australian left for new Super League side Gateshead. Hanley led Saints to Grand Final success against Bradford in October of his first year in charge. Hanley was considered by many to be a polarising figure and after several acrimonious disagreements with the St Helens board of directors, he was sacked a month into the following season. Ian Millward was appointed as Hanley's successor as head coach.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Under Millward, St Helens quickly became the most exciting team in the competition, playing expansive, attacking rugby. He saw them soundly beaten in the 2000 World Club Challenge, losing 44–6 to Melbourne, but lead them to retaining their Super League title in 2000 beating Wigan 29–16. They also won the Challenge Cup in 2001; 13–6 over Bradford, with the final held at Twickenham Stadium for the first time, and the 2001 World Club Challenge, earning a 20–18 win over the Broncos. Millward then lead Saints to the top of Super League VII, and to reclaim the Super League title in the 2002 Grand Final, Sean Long snatching a last minute 19–18 win over the Bradford with a drop—goal. They lost the 2002 Challenge Cup Final to Wigan at Murrayfield Stadium by 21 points to 12. They were hammered in the 2003 World Club Challenge by Sydney by 38 points to 0. In this season, they failed to win a trophy after being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Leeds at the semi—final stage, and the Super League play—offs by Wigan at the same stage. In 2004 they beat arch—rivals Wigan 32–16 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff in front of a capacity crowd of 73,734 people to win the Challenge Cup, Long gaining his second of an eventual three Lance Todd Trophies.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Millward's reign was not without controversy and his St Helens career ended controversially after he was suspended in May 2005. He was sacked for gross misconduct a week later. Daniel Anderson was appointed as coach, Millward was then made coach of archrivals Wigan.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Daniel Anderson saw his new team become the first team to top the Super League and fail to reach Old Trafford in 2005. However,


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: St Helens won the 2006 Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium, beating Huddersfield 42–12. Scrum-half Sean Long was awarded the Lance Todd trophy for a record third time for his man—of—the—match performance during the final.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: St Helens followed up their Challenge Cup win by claiming the League Leader's Shield, before cementing their reputation as the team of the year by defeating Hull 26 points to 4 in the Super League Grand Final. Once more St Helens confirmed their status as the outstanding team of the summer era. Additionally, Paul Wellens received the Man of Steel Award for the 2006 season.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: In December 2006 St Helens were awarded with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Team Award at the Annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year Ceremony. This accolade recognises the best team in any sport within the United Kingdom. At the same ceremony Daniel Anderson was given the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award – this was the first time a rugby league coach had won the award.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: After a slow start to the 2007 season, Saints added to their history by beating Brisbane 18–14 to win the 2007 World Club Challenge.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: In July, they beat Super League rivals, Bradford, to reach the first Challenge Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium. Here, St Helens successfully defended their Challenge Cup by defeating Catalans Dragons 30–8 in the final on 25 August 2007. They were beaten in the Grand Final that year by Leeds by 33 points to 6, despite finishing at the top of the league ladder for the third successive season. James Roby, however, became the second St Helens player, and home—grown talent in two years to win the Man of Steel Award.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Saints success in the Challenge Cup continued in 2008 with a victory at the new Wembley Stadium, this time defeating Hull F.C. 28–16. Paul Wellens received the Lance Todd Trophy after sharing the award with team-mate Leon Pryce the year earlier.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: They also achieved first place again in the 2008 Super League season—for the fourth year running—winning the League Leaders Shield, and beat Leeds 38–10 for the right to go to Old Trafford to contest the Grand Final. However, St Helens were once again defeated by Leeds in the Grand Final, by a margin of 24 to 16, on 4 October 2008. James Graham, on a positive note, made it a hat—trick of ex—Blackbrook Royals to win the Man of Steel Award whilst playing for St Helens. This would be Anderson's last game in charge of the club, as he announced he was to return to Australia and the Parramatta Eels of the NRL. St Helens fans and players alike were saddened to see Anderson leave, after not only upholding the tradition of St Helens exciting brand of rugby, but giving them a defensive and disciplined edge that was never apparent under Ian Millward. His personality and relationship with the fans was an additional reason why St Helens fans were disgruntled in him leaving after four years in charge and why next boss Mick Potter faced a fair amount of criticism in his initial period as boss.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Mick Potter was announced as the successor to Anderson, which received many plaudits from the St. Helens fans and the European game as a whole, as the year previous he had led the Catalans Dragons to a record—high third—placed finish in the league. On 9 August 2009, St Helens reached a record ninth consecutive Challenge Cup semi—final, where they were beaten by 24 points to 14 by the Huddersfield Giants. This prevented Saints from reaching the final at the new Wembley Stadium for a third successive time and from winning the cup for a fourth time running. This defeat naturally came as a shock to the St Helens faithful, after so often in the last 15 years seeing the team reach the pinnacle of this competition and go on to win the cup. It was from here that the criticism began, and questions were raised particularly of his tactics and his activity (or lack of) in the transfer market.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: On 3 October 2009, Saints defeated fierce rivals the Wigan Warriors to book their place at a fourth consecutive Super League Grand Final,


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: only to lose out to the Leeds Rhinos in the final, 18–10, making the Leeds Rhinos the only team to win the Grand Final three times consecutively. A 20-year-old Kyle Eastmond scored all of Saints' points. A trophyless year for the first time since 2003 was another catalyst to Potter's critics abusing and slating his appointment, with even rumours of rifts within the changing rooms.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: 2010 was the year that saw Potter surrender to his critics and leave St. Helens. Criticisms from club legends like Paul Sculthorpe and Sean Long regarding his personal skills with the fans, as well as the continued fan rejection saw him let his contract run out and, initially, seek a job in the NRL, but eventually, and perhaps surprisingly, join Bradford on a two—year contract. Names like Royce Simmons, Mal Meninga, and assistant coach Kieron Purtill, were linked with the job for 2011. Simmons was the chosen man for the job, as announced on 22 July 2010. The 2010 season would also see legendary hooker and captain Keiron Cunningham retire from the game after 17 years with his one and only club. However, Cunningham would not be leaving without leaving a lasting legacy on the club. A lifelike bronze statue of Cunningham was built and placed on display in the town, before being transported to the club's new stadium upon its construction in 2012. He would additionally take up a coaching role with the academy, as well as a strength and conditioning role with the first team. In light of these decisions, neither Cunningham nor Potter halted their personal and the St Helens team quest for success; shown by their tenth successive semi—final appearance in the Challenge Cup. However, Saints failure to perform on the big stage was once more shown, going down in this semi—final by 32–28. Defeating Huddersfield Giants in the qualifying semi—final in the 2010 play-off series by 42–22 not only saw Saints qualify for their fifth Grand Final in five years, but also saw the final ever game to be played at Knowsley Road. Fittingly, Cunningham snatched the final ever try at the famous old ground in typical fashion from dummy—half. However, for the fourth year running, St Helens once more proved flops in the Grand Final. One of the finest finals of the Super League era was anticipated, but the flamboyant Saints that the fans saw so rarely under Potter once more failed to materialise, and, in front of a near sell—out crowd of 71,526, they fell to a 22–10 loss to rivals Wigan. It was not the romantic finish to the Saints careers of Potter, Cunningham or any of the departing members of the squad that many had hoped for, but nevertheless, a new era was just around the corner, as Simmons' reign began.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Australian Royce Simmons took over from compatriot Mick Potter for the start of the 2011 season. As the club awaited completion of the new stadium, all home fixtures in 2011 were played at the Halton Stadium in Widnes, effectively meaning St Helens were forced to play an entire season of away fixtures. In addition, they suffered upheaval in terms of the playing squad; having already lost the influential Cunningham to retirement and other club legends like Sean Long, the start of the season was overshadowed by the news that Kyle Eastmond, who had been earmarked as Long's replacement, and inspirational leader James Graham were both looking to leave the club. A number of serious injuries to further key players such as Leon Pryce and Ade Gardner meant the team was facing an uphill battle on the field all season. However, despite all the problems faced, St Helens defied the odds to reach their 11th Challenge Cup semi-final in a row, and at the end of the season they qualified for their sixth consecutive Grand Final. However, for the fifth year in a row they were on the losing side, as the injury-plagued squad finally succumbed to Leeds. However, the 2011 season saw the emergence of a new crop of talent, with players such as Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell stepping up to fill the gaps left by senior players and earning rave reviews for their performances.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: In 2012, the club moved into their new home at Langtree Park. However, the season started with a terrible run of results, which culminated in Royce Simmons being sacked in March. With assistant coach Kieron Purtill also leaving, the coaching reins were taken up by youth coach Mike Rush for the remainder of the 2012 season, with Keiron Cunningham acting as his assistant. Following St Helens's defeat by Wigan in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup, which ended a run of 11 consecutive semi-final appearances, it was announced that Nathan Brown would be taking over as head coach for 2013, with Rush moving back into his previous role.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: At the end of the Super League XIX regular season, St Helens claimed the League Leaders' Shield and reached the 2014 Super League Grand Final against Wigan where they won the match 14–6 claiming their 13th premiership.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: In the Super League XXIII season, St Helens claimed the League Leader's Shield and Ben Barba who had joined the club that year won the Man of Steel award. St Helens were favourites to reach another grand final but were upset in the preliminary final by Warrington 18–13 at Langtree Park.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: During the Super League XXIV season, St Helens reached the Challenge Cup final against Warrington but lost the match 18–4 at Wembley Stadium.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: At the end of the Super League XXIV regular season, St Helens won the League Leader's Shield for a second consecutive year after finished 16 points clear of second placed Wigan.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: St Helens would go on to reach the 2019 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford against Salford. St Helens won the match 23–6 securing their 14th championship.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: At the end of the 2020 season, St Helens finished second behind league leaders Wigan. After easily accounting for Catalans Dragons in the semi-final, St Helens played against Wigan in the 2020 Super League Grand Final. With only seconds remaining and with the scores locked at 4-4, St Helens scored a try after the siren through Jack Welsby to win back to back championships in the most dramatic of circumstances.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: On 17 July 2021, St. Helens won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 13 years beating Castleford in the final 26–12. St. Helens had trailed the match at half-time 12–6.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: St Helens finished the 2021 Super League season in second place on the table. They then went on to defeat Catalan Dragons 12–10 in a hotly-contested Grand Final, securing the club's first league and cup double since 2006 and an historic 'three-peat' - becoming only the second team in the summer era to win three consecutive championships.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: St Helens ended the 2022 regular season as League Leaders, thus earning them a bye to the semi finals. They beat Salford 19-12, to reach their 4th consecutive Grand Final. They faced Leeds in the Grand Final, after Leeds beat Catalans in the eliminators, and Wigan in the semi final. St Helens won the match 24–12, to win their fourth final in a row, and by doing so, they become the first team in Super League history to win four in a row.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The St Helens academy has produced some of the finest youngsters, potential stars and internationals the world of rugby league has seen. Although initially, players were signed either from other clubs, or would go straight into first team reckoning after being signed from their amateur club at a much later age than today's system; as the game became more widespread in the town, across the North—West and nationally, a system had to be introduced in order to suffice the amount of youth talent that the club homed. More early examples of players that made the grade following on form their stints in the academy and reserves (previously known as the "St Helens Colts") include Steve Prescott, Paul Forber, Gary Connolly, and Chris Arkwright. St Helens' traditional policy with youth was to make them better players for the club. Now, however, it can be argued that Saints look to make them internationals, with no less than five of the current St Helens squad's youth products having gone on to represent either Great Britain or England or both. St Helens youth policy does not operate solely in the borough boundaries of the town. Indeed, many of St Helens current and past squads call areas like Widnes, Wigan, Cumbria and Oldham home. St Helens have, also, branched even into rugby union territory and other wider national areas for youth players; most recently, Daniel Brotherton, a winger from Northampton, signed a professional contract with the club, and has made great strides in the under 18s after his signing from Northampton Demons.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: There is a strong rivalry between St Helens and Wigan; the local derby between the two clubs has been traditionally regarded as the biggest in British rugby league, as well as one of the oldest in world rugby league. Both being founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union, the derby has been played since 1895, making it amongst the most historical derbys in both British and global rugby league. Remarkably, the first encounter between the fierce rivals ended in a 0–0 draw at Knowsley Road, The games were traditionally played on Boxing Day, however were moved to Good Friday, during the busy Easter period in rugby league. More recently, the game was even played on Maundy Thursday in Super League. In all league encounters between the two since 1895, there have been 235 games, with Wigan having won nearly double the number of games that St Helens have. Saints winning 83, drawing 11 and losing 141. All competitive games, i.e. cup and league games combined, show that in the 366 games played, St Helens have won 141, there have been 19 draws and Wigan have won 206. They too have contested no fewer than 6 Challenge Cup Finals, and have met in three Super League Grand Finals; St Helens winning 29–16 in 2000, with Wigan initially gaining revenge in 2010, with a 22–10 win, before Saints claimed the 2014 Super League Grand Final by a score of 14–6, taking a 2–1 lead in their Super League Grand Final head-to-heads. Wigan and St Helens have also met in 4 Premiership Finals, Wigan winning 3, St Helens once, 3 Lancashire County Cup Finals, St Helens winning two, Wigan one, and one Floodlit Trophy Final in 1968, Wigan winning 7–4. The two have traditionally met each other in the Magic Weekend too. The two teams have a pretty even record, winning two (at Millennium Stadium in 2007 and 2008) and losing two (at Murrayfield in 2009 and Etihad Stadium in 2012), with one draw (at Millennium Stadium in 2011) in five ties. St Helens greatest winning margin and the highest game score between the two in competitive football was a 75–0 win in a 2005 Challenge Cup Round 6 game. Wigan's biggest win was a 65–12 win in Super League II, 1997.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Saints contested several finals in the modern game with Bradford Bulls, following up from their vast successes respectively in previous decades. When known as Bradford Northern, Bradford experienced their period of success largely in the 1940s, at a time when St Helens struggled to compete due to the commitments of World War II. In fact, it was only in the 1950s that St Helens won their first Challenge Cup and National League, and at this time, when St Helens were establishing themselves and improving in the 1950s, and 1960s, Bradford were disproving, and in fact folded in 1963. So the contest between the two can be doubted as a historical or traditional one. However, during the modern, Summer era, the game between the two gained prestige. The two contested consecutive Challenge Cup finals in 1996 and 1997, and later in 2001, St Helens winning all three. In Super League Grand Finals, St Helens and Bradford met twice, in 1999 and 2002, St Helens again winning all encounters.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Leeds have arguably the strongest rivalry with St Helens, out of all the Yorkshire clubs that have a history with St Helens. They have contested the last three Super League finals, but the rugby they have produced in recent years is considered amongst the best in Super League. The derby is also sometimes considered a contest in terms of pride between the two counties. Leeds and St Helens have also a historical background, contesting the 1971–72 and 1977–78 Challenge Cup Finals, each team winning one each. However, the derby is often noted for its bad behaviour—on and off the field. Especially recently, with incidents like the Ryan Bailey "chicken wing" tackle on Maurie Fa'asavalu in 2008, the presence of James Graham when the two meet, as well as the numerous fights that have broke out between the two sets of players, the game is certainly regarded as a feisty one, as well as one that produces good-to-watch rugby. Such activities off the field and between games like fights between supporters, has led to some fans being discouraged from attending the fixture at Knowsley Road; shown by somewhat disappointing crowd figures, such as an example of 11,048 in 2010.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The other "big" North West club in Super League, Warrington, have also built up an anticipated derby contest with St Helens, particularly within Super League. As St Helens are unbeaten at Knowsley Road against the Wire since 1996, as well as boasting a generally impressive record against the Wolves in all meetings in Super League, the game is seen as an opportunity for Warrington to rectify their record against the Saints. In terms of cup and league final meetings; the two have met in two Lancashire Cup finals, St Helens winning once after a replay in 1967, and one Premiership final, St Helens winning in 1977. However, they remarkably have never met in Challenge Cup or Super League Finals. On 26 February 2011, Warrington Wolves beat St. Helens for the first time in 10 years ending the Saints Hoodoo over the club. The fixture was played at the Saints temporary home at Widnes. The Wolves also beat the Saints in the reverse fixture to do the league double for the first time in 17 years. In 2012 the Wolves beat St. Helens in the Grand Final elimination clash at Langtree Park to book the Warrington Wolves a place at the Grand Final.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: There is a massive junior and youth contingent of rugby league players in St Helens. Clubs such as Thatto Heath and Blackbrook Royals have produced many of the former and current superstars in St Helens' squads over the years, and continue to do so. Clubs in the St Helens area also include Bold Miners, Portico Vine, Pilkington Recs, Haydock Warriors, Newton Storm, Eccleston Lions and Haresfinch Hawks which provide players for St Helens through the junior years and the scholarship schemes at the club, before eventually signing professionally at 16. But St Helens' youth roots do not stop in the St Helens area. Indeed, club legend Keiron Cunningham signed for the club from Wigan St Judes, and Saints also look to clubs like Wigan St Patricks and Orrell St James in the Wigan area, and Halton Farnworth Hornets in the Widnes area for youth talent. However, a criticism of the St Helens scouting system is that they tend not to look at players beyond the junior ages (6–16 years old), and talented players who continue into amateur rugby tend to be signed very rarely.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Without having strict feeder sides, such as the system that exists in Australasia, St Helens have, in the last 20 years, particularly with the inception of the dual—registration scheme in 2009, built up partnerships with Co-operative Championship sides like Widnes and Leigh. St Helens have also been known to loan fringe players to "less strong" Super League sides such as Salford and Crusaders and previously Widnes. St Helens have also forged links with the Canada Rugby League (CRL) and their team Toronto City Saints, who have adopted the popular piece of St Helens insignia in their crest. Outside of rugby league, St Helens have forged partnerships with British Basketball League side Mersey Tigers, and English Premier Ice Hockey League team Manchester Phoenix.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: St Helens are one of the best supported teams in Super League, averaging 11,543 according to 2014 figures. Situated, prior to their recent move to Widnes, in Eccleston and Thatto Heath, a lot of support naturally derives from that area. Many strongholds of support also come from the Eastern side of the town; areas like Blackbrook, Haydock, and Parr. However, there exists considerable support towards Newton, Billinge and Ashton also. Their support is also not restricted to the town, with bases in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Northamptonshire, the South and North Wales.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The club also have their own supporters clubs, one for the club itself which has folded, and one for fans in the South. International, as well as national support is also strong with Saints. A recent survey showed fan bases in Australia, the United States, France, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, the Middle East, Chile and Greece. The club also have something of a fan base forming in the Far East, with fans from Singapore and Japan.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: In their rugby football days and early years as a rugby league club, St Helens wore a vertically striped blue and white jersey with blue shorts and socks. In their initial period at Knowsley Road, St Helens wore a similar jersey, but the stripes were horizontal, and the colours were blue and grey. These colours however were dropped in favour of a more traditional to today, red and white design. The jersey had a single broad red horizontal band, on a white background, and was used until 1961.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: In the 1961 Challenge Cup final against Wigan, the strip still seen today—the famous red V—was first utilised. In 1981, the club changed colours again, albeit temporarily, when Umbro designed and manufactured a French—style jersey of blue, with a white and red V. These colours were donned for two years, before the traditional colours were reverted to.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: 1985 saw the first jersey that was supported by a visible sponsor—St Helens Glass. Umbro were once again the designers of this varsity blue jersey with a royal blue vee—shaped chevron, a kit similar to the away kit of 2008. This was also the first jersey to feature the famous stickman of St Helens insignia. The 1985 New Zealand tour jersey was similar to the home shirt of 2009, sponsored also by Pilkington.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Between 1991 and 1994, a somewhat controversial and odd design of jersey was employed, where the chevron that St Helens had now adopted in place of the traditional V finished three—quarters of the way down the shirt. Umbro remained the club's kit suppliers until 1994, when Stag took over. Their jerseys were far more lightweight than what they had replaced, and they chose to revert to a more conventional fashion of red V in their designs. The kit used first by the club was reverted to during their centenary year in 1995.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: In 1997, yet another change of design that was controversial with the fans, a kit that featured a white drop—down V with a black and red mesh design at the bottom of the jersey. This was Mizuno's first design, taking over from Stag. The traditional red V was once more reverted to, after the controversial design, with a more circular design used for the 1999 season. In 2000, a more regular V was seen again. In 2003, a triple—V design was seen, and the first to be used by long—serving kit designers Puma AG. 2004 saw a double curvy red V used, before, in 2005, yet again tradition was reverted to in the design and this design was used until 2009. The away strip used in 2005 was the famous blue strip with a dark blue V. 2009 saw the long red V of 1985's design appear again, before, in 2010, a casual thin red V was seen.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: In 2010, the club used the first kit they played a rugby league game design as a commemorative strip, to celebrate their 110th and final year at the ground. 2011 saw the Puma contract expire, and Australian manufacturing giants ISC take over the making of the jerseys. This strip saw a somewhat shorter red vee, compared to the ventures of the design in 2009 and '10.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: The club's jerseys were initially adorned by the town's coat of arms. This was utilised until 1985. However, as Saints became a more national institution, they decided that a more recognisable badge needed to be adopted. The 1985 season therefore saw the famous stickman of St Helens first used. This was used as the main jersey emblem until 1991, when the St Helens sports club emblem, not dissimilar to the coat of arms used previously, was seen. This was used until 1996, when, with the implement of Super League into the British rugby league calendar, Saints chose to display a badge that featured an overlapping "S" and "H" in red, with the club's name around the border. This was used until 2010, when the club decided to unofficially rebrand to "Saints RL", to coincide with them leaving Knowsley Road, and going "on the road" to Widnes for a season. The new crest was in the shape of a shield, and featured the over lapping "S" and "H" that the previous logo featured, but also displayed a red vee within the design, and "Saints RL" in upper case lettering at the top of the shield. This new crest drew criticism from large sections of the St Helens faithful, who were afraid of the club losing its connection to the town to attract a wider fan base.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Since 2015 St Helens' kit has been supplied by O'Neills. Previous suppliers include Umbro (1986–94), Stag (1995–96), Mizuno Corporation (1997–99), Y2K (2000), Exito (2001–02), Puma (2003–10), and ISC (2011–14).


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Their current main shirt sponsor is Home Bargains. Previous main sponsors have included St Helens Glass (1986–87, 2000–01), McEwan's Lager (1987–98), John Smith's (1999), Caledonia (2002), Comodo (2003), All Sports (2004–05), Earth money (2006–07), Pilkington Activ (2008–09), Frontline (2010), Medicash (2011), Typhoo (2012 - 2016), RCMA Group (2017), and Cash Converters (2018 - 2021). St. Helens were also sponsored by Gillette for a one-off appearance at the 2004 Dubai Rugby 7s invitational.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: During the Super League era, the participating teams have adopted mascots and nicknames usually in alliteration with the name of their home town. Initially, the St Helens mascots were Bernard and Bernadette, St Bernard dogs; depicting something of a married couple with their on-field humorous antics. However, in 2009, the mascots changed to Boots and Bernard; happy and angry masculine characters. Bernard doesn't appear as often as Boots, with Boots being a more child-friendly image for the club, while Bernard retains the 'seriousness' of the mascots role to the club.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: St Helens' former stadium was Knowsley Road, renamed in 2008 to the GPW Recruitment Stadium for sponsorship reasons. Prior to this, in particular when St Helens were playing simply rugby football, they shared the City Ground with St Helens Recs. They left this stadium in 1890 for Knowsley Road and played there for 120 years. The ground at the time of its construction was considered modern, with one seated stand, and three standing areas that could, prior to strict safety regulations set in place, hold up to 40,000 people, shown by their record home crowd of 35,695 against Wigan in 1949. In their first match at the new ground, St Helens beat Manchester Rangers, played under rugby football rules. After the great schism of 1895, and St Helens joining the NRFU, their first game at Knowsley Road under traditional rugby league rules was against Rochdale, in front of 3,000 spectators. Over the years, however, age took its toll on the ground. Despite the big names like Meninga, van Vollenhoven, Lyon etc. coming to the club, it was constantly argued that, unlike other big clubs, St Helens did not have the stadium to suit their on—field talent. In 2006, the ground was treated to something of a makeover, after financial input from St Helens big money sponsors Earth Money. This aided the ground in gaining international rugby, with a fixture between Great Britain and New Zealand being held there in 2006. However, in 2008, St Helens were given a warning letter from the RFL, as a result of the ensuing licensing system that was to be introduced into Super League in 2009, stating that the quality of their current stadium was too poor for the expected quality of a licence in the league. Thankfully for Saints, they were permitted by the council to begin construction on a new ground, and confirmed that they would move away from Knowsley Road in 2011. It was announced that the new complex, to be built on an unused glass site in Peasley Cross, was to feature at least 12,000 seats, a large car park, and a Tesco store next to the ground. In addition to this, an iconic bridge, directly linking the ground to the town centre went under construction on 9 August 2010. Whether the stadium would be ready for the beginning of the 2011 season was always uncertain, and grounds such as Leigh Sports Village were suggested to home Saints for the period between. However, the Halton Stadium, Widnes was the chosen venue for Saints for the 2011 season, and they will play all of their home games there before permanently relocating in 2012. Saints currently play at the Totally Wicked Stadium.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: "For all players who have gained international caps whilst playing for the club see List of St Helens RLFC international players".


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Throughout 2010, a select panel of fans, journalists, former players and club officials voted for the best 17 players ever to have played for St Helens, to commemorate the club's 120th and final year at Knowsley Road.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: 18 players have had benefit years or testimonials at St Helens, organised jointly by the club and the RFL. They honour ten years at the club, and the most recent player to receive one was fullback Paul Wellens for 2010.


title: St Helens R.F.C.

text: Since the end of World War II, St Helens have seen 24 new bosses at the helm at Knowsley Road. Currently, the position is held by Kristian Woolf.


title: Missouri State University

text: Missouri State University (MSU or MO State), formerly Southwest Missouri State University, is a public university in Springfield, Missouri. Founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School, it is the state's second largest university by enrollment, with an enrollment of 22,926 in the fall semester of 2021. The school also operates a campus in West Plains, Missouri, offering associate degrees. A bachelor's degree in business is offered at Liaoning Normal University in China. The university also operates a fruit research station in Mountain Grove, Missouri and a Department of Defense and Strategic Studies program in Fairfax, Virginia.


title: Missouri State University

text: Missouri State University was formed as the Fourth District Normal School, by legislative action on March 17, 1905. Like other normal schools of the day, the school's primary purpose was the preparation of teachers for the public school system.


title: Missouri State University

text: Classes began on June 11, 1906, with the first class totaling 543 students in an off-campus facility. The first permanent campus building was Academic Hall. Its cornerstone was laid on August 10, 1907, and construction was completed in January 1909. The building is now known as Carrington Hall, named after William T. Carrington, the first president of the State Normal School. It serves as the university's administrative center.


title: Missouri State University

text: The Fourth District Normal School became Southwest Missouri State Teacher's College in 1919 to reflect its regional and academic emphasis. Throughout the interwar period, the college's programs expanded to include liberal arts and sciences in the curriculum, thus facilitating a name change to Southwest Missouri State College in 1945. A burgeoning student population throughout the 1950s and 1960s resulted in the establishment of residence halls, accompanied by a growth in post-graduate studies. This led to a third name change in 1972, to Southwest Missouri State University. In 1973, enrollment surpassed 10,000 students for the first time.


title: Missouri State University

text: By 1985, SMSU had grown into the second-largest public university in the state, leading administrators to support a bill to change the name to Missouri State University, which eventually died in committee in the Missouri General Assembly. In 1990, enrollment surpassed 20,000 students for the first time, but further attempts to rename the school throughout the 1990s and early 2000s also failed. However, the state legislature did grant the university a statewide mission in Public Affairs in 1995.


title: Missouri State University

text: In 2004, with the election of Springfield native Matt Blunt to the governorship and the approaching centennial of the university's founding, new support developed for the name change. It was opposed by the University of Missouri System (which operates the four campuses of the University of Missouri), which feared that the name change would lead to duplication of academic programs and ongoing battles for students and state funding. In 2005 the name-change bill was passed, following a late-night compromise between University of Missouri System President Elson Floyd and then-Southwest Missouri State President John Keiser, stating that Missouri State University would not duplicate certain professional programs offered by the University of Missouri. The bill to rename the university finally passed the Missouri Senate (25–7). On March 1, 2005, after more than seven hours of debate, the bill passed the Missouri House (120–35). Governor Blunt signed it into law on March 17, 2005—the centennial anniversary of the university—at the Plaster Student Union, where several student and state leaders were present.


title: Missouri State University

text: In 2006, the university modified its nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation as an officially protected status. The addition reads: "... the University does not discriminate on any basis (including, but not limited to, political affiliation and sexual orientation) not related to the applicable educational requirements for students or the applicable job requirements for employees." Former university president John Keiser had firmly opposed the change, as did the Student Government Association in 2004 when Student Body President Chris Curtis moved to change the SGA constitution to mirror the university's. However, the policy was quietly changed on September 18, 2006, during a meeting held in St. Louis. It is generally believed this move was to avoid the mostly conservative citizens of Springfield and add this policy "under the radar" of the critics of the change. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt quickly released criticism of the policy change, calling it "unnecessary and bad", also saying the decision "bows to the forces of political correctness".


title: Missouri State University

text: In 2011, the university's executive MBA program for students from China came under scrutiny after an article in the Springfield News-Leader questioned the financial relationship between Missouri State and its Hong Kong-based agent, alleging that students were paying double the amount that MSU was receiving. The executive MBA program accepts cohorts of students who come through a sponsor: a provincial or municipal government agency, a university, or a corporation. Missouri State's agent, the International Management Education Corporation (IMEC), identifies and develops relationships with sponsors, who identify and prepare students, screening them for work experience, a minimum grade-point average at the undergraduate level (2.75) and English language proficiency. IMEC then provides MSU with a cohort of a minimum of 30 students, and the sponsors send MSU the students' applications for review. The fees students pay vary by sponsor and range from $15,000 to $22,000. IMEC was contracted to pay Missouri State between $10,103 and $11,886 per student; resulting in between 20 and 55 percent of the student fee being retained by IMEC. IMEC defended the fees claiming they cover marketing/promotion/recruiting and the related overhead costs as well as additional costs including intensive English training, exams, advice on applications and documentations, visa application fees and service and orientations provided by IMEC. University officials defended the program and arrangement stating that it had allowed Missouri State to quickly grow the executive MBA program without having to spend university resources recruiting and marketing overseas. The program has had 370 students since it started in 2007. However, the chair of the Faculty Senate said professors have periodically raised questions about the quality and oversight of the various China initiatives, and had prepared a list of questions for the president in light of the article, expressing a desire to ensure that proper oversight was in place to avoid compromising quality. Following translation and re-publication of information from the News-Leader article by Chinese newspapers, MSU reported that it received calls from several program sponsor organizations in China that they would no longer participate in the program. The university continued to defend the program, arguing that mistranslations of the article had provided an incorrect view of the program's academic rigor and stating that it intended to meet with sponsors and answer any questions about the program.


title: Missouri State University

text: "The Scotsman" was officially adopted as the university's fight song in the 1960s. The Fight Song is sung after every home football touchdown and prominent at all athletic events. The traditional alumni song of Missouri State is performed at every commencement ceremony and sometimes played at athletic events or other ceremonies.


title: Missouri State University

text: The traditions of school colors and the school mascot were established during the 1906 school year, before the first permanent building (Carrington Hall) was even constructed. A joint committee of faculty and students decided on the colors of maroon and white to represent the university. The same committee also selected the Bear as the official school mascot, basing their choice on the design of the state seal of Missouri. The colors and mascots are reflected on the school seal.


title: Missouri State University

text: Missouri State University is classified as a "Doctoral/Professional" university by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.


title: Missouri State University

text: The university offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and over 45 graduate programs. For the 2009 fiscal year the university awarded 4,093 degrees. The Springfield campus had 721 full-time instructional faculty in fall 2009, of which 46 percent were female and 60 percent were tenured. The student-faculty ration is 20-to-1. Nearly 90 percent of full-time ranked faculty members have the most advanced degree available in their field. During its 2009 fiscal year, MSU received 196 grants totalling $20,901,035. Freshmen entering for the fall 2010 semester had an average ACT score of 24 and a high school grade point average of 3.60.


title: Missouri State University

text: The MSU College of Business awards undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business and Economics. Missouri State's COB is housed in David D. Glass Hall, a 4-story, building. Glass Hall is named in honor of MSU alumnus and former Wal-Mart CEO David Glass. All programs in the College of Business are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The College of Business underwent a major renovation in 2016 to update the building and provide more space for academic activities.


title: Missouri State University

text: In June 2000, Missouri State University entered into an agreement with Liaoning Normal University of the People's Republic of China to establish the LNU-MSU College of International Business on the campus of LNU. As an educational cooperation project between the two universities, the Branch Campus received formal approval from the governing bodies of both universities, the Missouri State Board of Governors and the Bureau of Education of Liaoning Province, China. The college currently offers an Associate of Arts, in General Studies degree and a Bachelor of Science, in General Business degree. The Branch Campus programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as well as the Associate to Advance Collegiate Business Schools (AACSB International). Dalian has a diverse student body, with students from all over the world including Korea, Indonesia,Senegal,Nigeria, Zambia,Iran,Japan and the U.S. It is located atop a prominence on the North Campus of LNU overlooking the university to its south.


title: Missouri State University

text: Missouri State University has a statewide mission in public affairs granted by the state legislature in 1995.


title: Missouri State University

text: The mission is stated as having three broad themes: Ethical Leadership, Cultural Competence and Community Engagement. The goal of the Ethical Leadership component has been articulated by MSU as "students will articulate their value systems, act ethically within the context of a democratic society, and demonstrate engaged and principled leadership." The stated objective of the Cultural Competence component is "students will recognize and respect multiple perspectives and cultures." Two goals have been articulated for the Community Engagement portion of the mission. They are that "students will recognize the importance of contributing their knowledge and experiences to their own community and the broader society" and "students will recognize the importance of scientific principles in the generation of sound public policy." The public affairs mission is emphasized and enhanced by designated Public Affairs Professorships and a Provost Fellow for Public Affairs, special scholarship programs, grant program, Excellence in Community Service Awards, a yearly week-long Missouri Public Affairs Academy for high school students, a campus-wide public affairs emphasis week and the annual MSU Public Affairs Conference which brings together a diverse group of speakers and panelist for public discussions of various aspects of the public affairs mission. Past conference speakers have included Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Nawal El Saadawi, Les Garland, John Edwards and Frances Hesselbein.


title: Missouri State University

text: Missouri State University's main campus, containing over 40 buildings, is located on in central Springfield. National Avenue forms the eastern boundary, with South Holland and Kimbrough Avenues to the west, Cherry and Elm Streets to the north, and Grand Street to the south. The Rountree neighborhood is located just to the east of campus. John Q. Hammons Parkway bisects the campus, running north and south.


title: Missouri State University

text: Facing National Avenue is the "Historic Quadrangle," containing Carrington Hall (1908), Hill Hall (1923) and Siceluff Hall (1927), as well as Cheek Hall (1955) and Ellis Hall (1959). South of that area is Pummill Hall (1957), Karls Hall (1958) and Craig Hall (1967), which contains the Coger Theater and is the site of an annual outdoor summer tent theatre program.


title: Missouri State University

text: In the center of campus is the Duane G. Meyer Library, constructed in 1980 and named after a former president of the university. It contains over 877,000 books, subscriptions to over 3,500 periodicals and newspapers with back issues on microfilm, microfiche, and microcard, and full text electronic access to over 20,000 periodicals. In addition, the library contains over 934,000 state, federal and United Nations government documents. The Meyer Library was renovated and expanded in 2002, and included the addition of the Jane A. Meyer Carillon, one of only 164 such instruments in the United States. In front of Meyer Library is the five-level, multi-jet John Q. Hammons Fountain (named for the MSU alumnus and hotel developer).


title: Missouri State University

text: Other major academic buildings are located south and west of the Meyer Library. These include Temple Hall (1971), Kemper Hall (1976), Glass Hall (1988) and Strong Hall (1998). The majority of the north side of the campus is dedicated to student residences and recreational areas; however, Greenwood Laboratory School, a fully functioning K-12 school, is also located in this area.


title: Missouri State University

text: The Jane A. Meyer Carillon is located in the center of the Missouri State University campus, at the southwest corner of the Duane G. Meyer Library. It was dedicated on April 13, 2002. The total weight of the 48 bronze bells and cast-iron clappers is 32,000 pounds, with the largest bell weighing 5,894 pounds, or nearly three tons. The complete carillon and its supporting tower structure weighs 2.5 million pounds. Funds for the purchase of the bells and keyboard and for the construction of the tower were provided by Ken and Jane Meyer, longtime friends of the university and supporters of the arts. Jane Meyer was a former organ student of the MSU Department of Music. The carillon's 48 bronze bells, cast-iron clappers and keyboard were purchased from and installed by Royal Eijsbouts, a prestigious bell making firm from the Netherlands. The carillon plays the standard Westminster chime sequence every 15 minutes, with the first of the hourly bells marking the exact start of each hour. The department of music also coordinates and presents special concerts throughout the year.


title: Missouri State University

text: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts is a 2,220-seat center located in the northwest corner of the campus. Juanita K. (as referred to by locals) not only hosts the university's music, dance and theatre department performances, it is home to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. It is the Springfield area's major performance hall and presents a regular schedule of national touring companies and prominent individual performers. The hall includes multi-level boxes and moveable orchestra pit; spacious backstage facilities with individual, crew and chorus dressing rooms, cast lounge, green room, loading dock and break areas; an expansive multi-level lobby; public and private reception areas; full-service front-of-house, technical and support staff offices; an on-site computerized box office; and a 5-level parking garage adjacent to the building.


title: Missouri State University

text: Southeast of Meyer Library is the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex. Originally built in 1930, the athletic field became the stadium in 1941 and was known for many years as Briggs Stadium in honor of Coach A. W. Briggs, longtime head of Missouri State's athletic department. In 2014, the stadium was converted to a football-specific field surface and other renovations were made for a more intimate fan experience. The playing surface was replaced and moved closer to the west grand stand. In addition, the student side (east side) was fully replaced from the ground up and includes game day locker rooms, a new scoreboard and a party platform called "The Clif". The facility was renamed after a major expansion and renovation in the 1980s that included installation of an artificial playing surface, an all-weather track, a second level of seating, twelve racquetball courts, men's and women's locker rooms, five classrooms, and a fitness center. Immediately north of Plaster Sports Complex is McDonald Arena, built by WPA labor in 1940. It served as the university's central indoor arena until construction of the John Q. Hammons Student Center on the campus' north-west edge in 1976. That venue was in turn replaced as the primary indoor sporting venue by construction of the adjacent 11,000-seat JQH Arena in 2008.


title: Missouri State University

text: The Missouri State University main campus contains nine residence halls and two apartment buildings. Wells House, the university's first campus residence hall, houses 490 students. Freudenberger House (nicknamed "Freddy" by students and faculty) is a five-story, U-shaped residence hall, designed with 2-, 3- and 4-person rooms to accommodate 740 students on single-gender floors. Woods House provides 376 students with accommodations on single-gender floors and features a 10th floor common area with sweeping views of the surrounding area. Blair-Shannon House accommodates 729 students in a suite-style format with the living areas on co-ed floors. Hammons House is an eight-story residence hall that accommodates 584 students on co-ed floors. A twin residence hall of Hammons House, Hutchens House is an eight-story residence hall offering housing accommodations for 605 students on five co-ed floors. Scholars House provides lodging for 115 students who are Honors Program participants. Lastly, opening up to residence for the first time in August 2022, Heitz House boasts 7 floors, which includes a first-level dining center and convenance store, then contains three floors of parking built into the Residence hall. Finally, three floors of living space, holding 400 students. Kentwood Hall, originally built as the luxury Kentwood Arms Hotel (1926) and whose guests included President Harry S. Truman and comedian Groucho Marx, accommodates 101 upper-class transfer students. The Sunvilla Tower is an 18-story apartment facility that houses 200+ upper-class students in a coed environment. Monroe Apartments is an apartment facility that houses 125 upper class students.


title: Missouri State University

text: Computer labs, laundry rooms, kitchen facilities, and public meeting/study spaces are located in every one of the university's residence halls. Available services include free laundry, Philo streaming internet protocol TV service, WI-FI, and 24-hour front desk assistance. Within select houses are floors designated as "Living-learning Communities" (or LLC's). These have a particular theme that is either academically based or interest based. All residential areas are smoke and tobacco free.


title: Missouri State University

text: Citing the proven detrimental health effects of tobacco use, effective August 15, 2010, Missouri State University enacted a policy further restricting the use of tobacco products and smokeless tobacco on the campus.


title: Missouri State University

text: The four-story Robert W. Plaster Student Union (PSU) is a student activity center located in the center of campus between the main academic and residential areas. This building provides a place for students to dine, socialize, study, shop, and see films and guest speakers in the theater. It also houses a bank, a convenience store, a copy shop, a ticket outlet, and a video game/media store. A variety of meeting rooms are also located in the PSU and over 15,000 meetings are even hosted there each year. Offices located in the PSU include Student Engagement, Student Conduct, Multicultural Resources, Zip Card, Campus Recreation, Outdoor Adventures, Sodexo Campus Services, Citizenship and Service-Learning, Conference Services, various student organizations, the dean of students, Judicial Affairs, Disability Support Services, and Student Orientation, Advisement & Registration (SOAR). The PSU also includes the Leland E. Traywick Parliamentary Room. Dedicated on February 18, 2004, it is named to honor a former MSU president and his introduction of shared governance, including the establishment of the Faculty Senate, during his presidency. A bronze bear statue was dedicated to the university in 1999 and stands at the student union's front entrance. Also located in front of the PSU is the North Mall, which is the location of the "Bear Paw." The Bear Paw is an outdoor plaza and performance area constructed for concerts, forums, rallies, demonstrations, and other public activities. Any member of the university community (such as students, faculty, or staff) may reserve the Bear Paw, and when not reserved, it is available for expressive activities on a first come, first served basis.


title: Missouri State University

text: An active Intramural sports program includes competition in basketball, billiards, bowling, disc golf, dodgeball, flag football, futsal, golf, racquetball, sand volleyball, soccer, softball, table tennis, tennis, track, ultimate, volleyball, and weight lifting. Two large intramural fields with artificial turf, electronic scoreboards, and stadium lighting are located on East Harrison Street near Scholars House. A Fitness and Wellness Program offers a variety of group classes and activities to students, including classes with licensed instructors in Pilates, Yoga, Belly Dance, and Zumba. The campus Outdoor Adventures program also provides opportunity and equipment rentals for activities, such as rock climbing, caving, camping, canoeing, and kayaking in the surrounding Ozarks.


title: Missouri State University

text: There are over 300 student organizations at Missouri State. Student organizations are grouped into eight categories according to their main purpose. These include Academic/Professional, Greek, Honorary, Religious, Service, Social, Sports, and University.


title: Missouri State University

text: The first Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship (ΧΑ) was chartered on Missouri State University's campus in 1953. The national organization for Chi Alpha is headquartered in Springfield, MO.


title: Missouri State University

text: The Pride Band is the university's marching band. The Pride consists of 300 student musicians. The band plays at every home football game and has been featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City (1988, 1996, 2001), the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena (1995 and 2008), and the Orange Bowl Parade in Miami (1988). They have appeared in the Louisiana Superdome for the New Orleans Saints, in the Trans World Dome for the St. Louis Rams, at Arrowhead Stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs, and at Mile High Stadium for the Denver Broncos. In December 2005 the Pride Band traveled to London, England to be the honor band in the London New Year's Day parade, and was the Honor Band in the 2009 McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, Illinois.


title: Missouri State University

text: "The Standard" is the university's student-run newspaper. It is published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters. The newspaper's content is entirely created and edited by the student staff.


title: Missouri State University

text: "Ozarks News Journal" is a half-hour Public Affairs TV News Magazine produced fall and spring semesters by broadcast journalism students in the Media, Journalism & Film Department. The show airs weekly on Media Com cable 22 in Springfield.


title: Missouri State University

text: "KSMU" 91.1 FM is the university's licensed public radio station, broadcasting National Public Radio content, local news and classical music. Its state-of-the-art studios are located in Strong Hall. The station has received numerous awards, including the 2002 National Edward R. Murrow Award from the RTNDA for News Series, the 2001 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award from the RTNDA for Feature Reporting, the 1987 National Edward R. Murrow Award from the RTNDA for Investigative Reporting, The Missouri Broadcasters Association Excellence Award in Documentary Public Affairs in 2002 and 2000, Certificates of Merit for Feature Reporting, Public Affairs Reporting, and Complete News from the Missouri Broadcasters Association, three Public Radio News Directors Incorporated Awards, and the Missouri State Teachers Association Award for Excellence in Education Reporting.


title: Missouri State University

text: MSU is also the licensee operating Ozark Public Television, providing PBS programming and instructional television services to 549,540 households in Southwest Missouri and the adjoining three state area. KOZK, the PBS member station in Springfield airs on digital channel 23, virtual channel 21, and a sister station, KOZJ, airs in Joplin, Missouri as digital channel 25, virtual channel 26. The stations digital signal multicasts as 21.1/26.1: OPT-High Definition; 21.2/26.2: OPT-ED (Airs telecourses from MSU as well as miscellaneous PBS programming); and 21.3/26.3: Create, a how-to/DIY network. The broadcast and studio facilities are located in Strong Hall.


title: Missouri State University

text: National Panhellenic Conference member organizations at MSU include: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Kappa and Sigma Sigma Sigma. National Pan-Hellenic Council members include: Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta. Interfraternity Council members include: Alpha Gamma Sigma, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Phi, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Omega Delta Phi, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Pi, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Tau Gamma, Theta Chi, and Tau Kappa Epsilon. Additional independent Greek organizations include Sigma Alpha Chi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Xi Omicron Iota.


title: Missouri State University

text: In October 2009, the Missouri State University Panhellenic received the Risk Management Award at the National Panhellenic Conference Annual Meeting.


title: Missouri State University

text: Missouri State University sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletic teams in men's and women's basketball, golf, soccer, swimming and diving; men's baseball and football; and women's beach volleyball, cross country, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball. MSU teams are nicknamed the Bears, and team colors are maroon and white. The Missouri State University Bears are members of the Missouri Valley Conference for all sports except beach volleyball (Independent), football (Missouri Valley Football Conference), and men's swimming and diving (Mid-American Conference). Football competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Missouri State teams have made 52 NCAA championship appearances since moving to Division I in the 1982–83 season. The men's basketball team reached the Sweet Sixteen in 1999 and women's basketball made the Final Four in 1992 and 2001, and the Sweet Sixteen in 1993, 2019, and 2021. Baseball made the College World Series in 2003 and volleyball earned their 1000th win Nov. 17, 2006 (only the second team in NCAA history to do so). In 1974, the women's softball team won the AIAW national championship.


title: Missouri State University

text: Football games are played at Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex. Men's and women's basketball games are played at JQH Arena, and volleyball games, as well as swimming and diving competitions, are held at Hammons Student Center. Softball games are played at Killian Softball Stadium, which underwent a $2.7 million renovation in 2009. The Missouri State Bears baseball shares 7,986-seat Hammons Field, located a few blocks north of the MSU campus, with the Springfield Cardinals of the AA Texas League. Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium opened in 2014 and is the home of men's and women's soccer as well as the women's track and field teams. The sand volleyball team is the newest varsity sport sponsored by Missouri State, beginning play in 2017 at the Betty and Bobby Allison Sand Volleyball Courts.


title: Missouri State University

text: Missouri State University also sponsors several club teams. The MSU Handball team has won the National Collegiate Handball Team Championship 12 times, including seven years straight (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2017, and 2018). MSU handball players have also captured the individual women's title thirteen times and the men's title six times. The team was founded in 1988 and is under the leadership of coach Tommy Burnett.


title: Missouri State University

text: In 2001, Missouri State started a club Ice Hockey team, Missouri State University Ice Bears Hockey, that competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division I Western Collegiate Hockey League. In 2009 the Ice Bears made their fourth straight ACHA Central Region post season tournament appearance in ACHA Division 2. In 2014, the Missouri State University Ice Bears won the Central Division Regionals and made their first ACHA National Championship Appearance in their 13-year existence. In 2015 the Ice Bears made their second consecutive National Championship Tournament appearance in Salt Lake City Utah. After a 30–2 vote the Ice Bears joined the WCHL in ACHA Division 1 for the 2015–16 season. Ice Bears home games are played at Mediacom Ice Park.


title: Missouri State University

text: Missouri State also has a club Lacrosse team, founded in 2003, that competes in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) Division II in the Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference (GRLC). In 2009 and 2010, the Bears received an automatic qualifier for the MCLA National Championships in Denver, Colorado, after winning the GRLC championship. Since 2003, MSU lacrosse has fielded 5 All-Americans, 41 All-Conference players, 2 GRLC Tournament MVP's, and 2 GRLC Division II Coach of the Year Awards.


title: Missouri State University

text: Additional club sports at Missouri State include a bowling team, pistol team, rodeo team, roller hockey club, water ski team, wrestling club, and men's and women's club soccer teams.


title: Possessive

text: A possessive or ktetic form (abbreviated or ; from ; ) is a word or grammatical construction used to indicate a relationship of possession in a broad sense. This can include strict ownership, or a number of other types of relation to a greater or lesser degree analogous to it.


title: Possessive

text: Most European languages feature possessive forms associated with personal pronouns, like the English "my", "mine", "your", "yours", "his" and so on. There are two main ways in which these can be used (and a variety of terminologies for each):


title: Possessive

text: Some languages, including English, also have possessive forms derived from nouns or noun phrases, such as "Jane's", "cows' " and "nobody else's". These can be used in the same two ways as the pronoun-derived forms: "Jane's office" or "that one is Jane's".


title: Possessive

text: Possessives are sometimes regarded as a grammatical case (the "possessive case"), although they are also sometimes considered to represent the genitive case, or are not assigned to any case, depending on which language is being considered. On the other hand, some languages, such as the Cariban languages, can be said to have a "possessed case", used to indicate the other party (the thing possessed) in a possession relationship. A similar feature found in some languages is the possessive affix, usually a suffix, added to the (possessed) noun to indicate the possessor, as in the Finnish "taloni" ("my house"), where "talo" means "house" and the suffix "-ni" means "my".