South Wales Rugby League Conference champions Torfaen Tigers will make their Tetley's Challenge Cup debut in 2014 following their Grand Final win this summer.
They will be Wales' only entrants in the first round of the historic competition and are one of just 44 community clubs that have been invited to participate.
Those 44 sides will form the first two rounds, which will be played on February 1 and February 22 respectively. The remaining winning teams will then face semi-professional opposition, such as South Wales Scorpions and North Wales Crusaders, in the third round (to be played on the weekend of March 15/16) before the Super League clubs – including holders Wigan Warriors – enter the fray in the fourth (April 5/6).
Torfaen Tigers chairman Rob Davies said: "After the disappointment of not being allowed into the Harry Jepson Trophy last season after winning the South Wales title, the whole club is itching to get started in 2014.
"Last year was massive for us and hopefully this year we can continue to build. The Challenge Cup is one of the great British sporting competitions and being an entrant will hopefully allow us to increase our profile with spectators and sponsors as well as the wider community in both Torfaen and the wider South Wales region."
Tigers' co-coaches Jamie Williams and Chris Bailey are equally as delighted to be entering rugby's oldest club knockout competition.
Williams said: "This is a massive opportunity for all the boys to put themselves in the shop window and hopefully attract new faces. It'll be a big boost to the club."
Bailey added: "We're all looking forward to being involved in such a high profile competition and I know that the players can't wait to get going. We're proud to be on the road to Wembley."
Teams from the length and breadth of Britain will be in the first round draw, which is due to take place in the week commencing January 6, with 550 miles separating the competition’s most northerly and southerly sides, the largest geographical spread of competing teams from across Britain in the competition’s history.
The third tier of the Rugby League pyramid has the most participants, with 31 sides representing the National Conference League and the Bristol Sonics representing the Conference League South.
Scottish champions Aberdeen Warriors also prepare for their tournament debut whilst student Rugby League giants Leeds Metropolitan University and Loughborough University represent the education sector.
All three Armed Forces teams are represented – the Royal Air Force, British Army and Royal Navy – whilst Great Britain Police also enter, hoping to build on their positive performances during this summer’s Police Rugby League World Cup.
From the game’s fourth tier, Cumbria Men’s League champions Walney Central are entered whilst, at the other end of the country, Harry Jepson Trophy Winners, South West London Chargers, are looking forward to their participation.
The North West Men’s League champions Halton Simms Cross and the North West Men’s League’s Widnes St Marie’s complete the list.
Full list of participating community clubs:
Askam
Blackbrook
East Hull
Dewsbury Celtic
East Leeds
Egremont Rangers
Elland
Hull Dockers
Hunslet Warriors
Kells
Leigh Miners Rangers
Lock Lane
Milford Marlins
Millom
Myton Warriors
Normanton Knights
Oulton Raiders
Pilkington Recs
Rochdale Mayfield
Saddleworth Rangers
Shaw Cross Sharks
Siddal
Skirlaugh
Thatto Heath Crusaders
Underbank Rangers
Wath Brow Hornets
West Hull
Wigan St Jude’s
Wigan St Patrick’s
Woolston Rovers
York Acorn
Bristol Sonics
British Army
Royal Navy
Royal Air Force
Leeds Metropolitan University
Loughborough University
Aberdeen Warriors
Great Britain Police
Torfaen Tigers
Halton Simms Cross
South West London Chargers
Walney Central
Widnes St Marie’s
Fans can buy tickets for the Tetley’s Challenge Cup final now. The 2014 showpiece event, which will be the 113th staging of the final, will return to London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday August 23 and fans can book their place at Wembley from as little as £22.
Tickets for the 2014 Tetley's Challenge Cup final can be purchased by calling the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113 or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk.
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