The Rugby Football League (RFL) will receive a £16 million cash
injection to safeguard the immediate future of the sport for the
communities it serves, the Government has announced.
The emergency loan will help the sport deal with the extreme
financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak while the season
remains suspended, due to social distancing measures.
It comes ahead of England hosting the Rugby League World Cup next
year, which will see the men’s, women’s and wheelchair games come
together for a world first on the sport’s biggest stage. The
Government’s manifesto included a commitment to delivering a
successful tournament, with significant financial support already
provided.
, Secretary of State for
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said:
This is a massive shot in the arm to secure the survival of
Rugby League.
We recognise that many RFL clubs operate on very tight
financial margins. Without their ability to stage matches with
spectators and despite the Government’s extensive economic
package, the professional game has come very close to
collapsing.
From my first sports visit as Secretary of State to Leigh
Centurions, I could see how important these clubs are to the
communities they serve. They are the beating heart of their
towns and cities, and their impact goes far beyond what happens
on the pitch.
Sports across the board are facing unprecedented pressures, and
we are supporting them through wider Government measures. In
this case we are intervening as an exception, not to save an
individual business or organisation, but to protect an entire
sport, the community it supports, the World Cup held here next
year and its legacy for generations to come.
Many Rugby League clubs have well-established charitable
programmes in their communities, and have adapted these to help
the vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic. For example, Hull
FC and Cheshire’s West Bank Bears have delivered food parcels to
elderly people who are self-isolating, while players from Widnes
Vikings and Warrington Wolves have been calling supporters to
build connections and check in on their wellbeing.
The RFL will administer this funding, in partnership with Sport
England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
All RFL Super League, Championship and League 1 clubs based in
England are eligible to apply. Further details on when the fund
will open and how clubs can apply will be announced by the RFL in
due course.
, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:
Rugby League is a sport that makes a significant social impact
in the communities it serves, which is even more important now
as we respond to the economic pressures resulting from
Covid-19.
The timing of the Rugby League World Cup next year will also be
a fantastic opportunity to build on the sport’s strong track
record within these communities, and is an opportunity that
this Government’s support will ensure is delivered.
Ralph Rimmer, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League, said:
The RFL is grateful to the Government for understanding and
acting on the case for the whole sport.
In these very tough times for the country and huge demands on
Government, this is confirmation of why Rugby League is
important – our USP – the sport’s significant social impact in
Northern communities in particular.
Rugby League is not a wealthy sport but is rich in the things
that matter most – outstanding sporting and life chances in
often disadvantaged communities. The effects of lockdown at the
start of our season genuinely threatened the survival of our
clubs at all levels and their ability to continue delivering
those positive social and economic impacts.
This support enables the sport to survive, to reshape and to be
ready to restart in this our 125th year. And to look to a home
World Cup next year and a legacy for our communities.
Watching and playing sport together, including Rugby League,
has a role to play in the nation’s recovery. We are part of
that national sporting landscape. In the meantime, we continue
to work at the heart of our communities, helping wherever we
can.
The 2021 Rugby League World Cup is to be hosted predominantly in
the North of England with the wheelchair final hosted in
Liverpool and the men’s and women’s finals being hosted at Old
Trafford, Manchester.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
The Rugby League World Cup will take place between 23 October -
27 November 2021.
The tournament will take place at venues in Bolton, Coventry,
Doncaster, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester,
Newcastle, Sheffield, St Helens, Tees Valley, Trafford,
Warrington, Wigan and Leigh, and York.
The wheelchair final will take place at the M&S Bank Arena in
Liverpool on 26 November. The women’s and men’s Finals will take
place at Old Trafford in Manchester on 27 November.
