In League Together newsletter issue 13 | may 2011

RFL recognition and success Wildcats

The RFL are delighted to announce that they have recently Disabled Supporters achieved the Intermediate level of the Sport England Equality Association (WTWDSA) Standard A framework for Sport. This award acknowledges the efforts made by to engage with diverse communities and to ensure that the governing body and wider sport is an inclusive and welcoming sport.

In addition the RFL was shortlisted as Sports Governing Body of the Year at the Sports Industry Awards in and though UK Athletics collected the award, RFL’s Chief Executive Nigel Wood believes everyone in the sport should feel proud of the nomination. “The RFL is rightly regarded as a modern, progressive and forward-thinking governing body. I would like to place on record my congratulations to UK Athletics, and my thanks to all the people involved in professional, semi- Disabled supporters professional and community Rugby League for all their hard work.” The WTWDSA was formed in 2008, as a way of providing all supporters with a disability with a voice and a way to improve and enhance their sporting experience at Belle Vue. Over a short Rugby League in Tower Hamlets period of time we have achieved a great deal: • Trained 5 volunteer audio commentators - who will provide a Pupils from Stepney Green High School got a taste of the much needed service to blind and visually impaired supporters toughest team sport in the world when they took part in of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. The course was run by Harvey the Rugby League Leaders Award at Victoria Park in Tower Wiles, the BBC Radio Leeds Rugby League commentator Hamlets. A dozen 14-year-old students were taught the basic and Eleanor Ellison from RNIB. The RNIB also stepped in to core skills of Tag Rugby League and then had to deliver a provide the 10 piece equipment after a sponsor withdrew their coaching session to the rest of the group. support at the last moment. The Award is the first step on the coaching, match officials and volunteer pathway which helps to develop future volunteers for • Secured funding to launch, ‘Never Watch Alone’ a buddying the sport. It offers a great opportunity for students to learn and scheme to help fans with a learning disability or other practice sports leadership skills in a Rugby League setting. On disability, who ordinarily wouldn’t be able to get to games, completion of the course all students received a certificate and to be ‘paired up’ with a fan as a buddy rather than a carer to are accredited by the RFL. attend matches together.

Robbie Marr, the ’s Youth Volunteer • The association is also endeavouring to work closely with the Coordinator for London and the South East said: “This is a club’s new management to ensure facilities are as accessible fantastic achievement for the pupils. The school has only as and will be a top class feature in any future ‘new build’. been playing Rugby League for a couple of years and to have students keen to get involved is great for the development of • A kind benefactor has recently sponsored a player, Josh the game in the area.” Griffin, in our name. Everybody in the ground must have known about WTWDSA by full-time! That same person is also doing a sponsored cycle ride from John O‘Groats to Lands End on behalf of the WTWDSA!

WTWDSA will have a stall at the Carers Week fun day at Sandal on June 11th. Come along and find out more. Alternatively you can email on [email protected], or talk to Chris at Carers Wakefield & District.

p1 newsletter issue 13 | may 2011

Sportlight on: Women in League Huddersfield Pakistani

The Rugby Football League celebrated International Women’s community support Rugby League Day (March 8) by profiling a selection of women involved in Rugby League in this country and highlighting the opportunities that exist for women at all levels of the sport and in all areas of the sport. RFL Head of Participation Julia Lee said: “Rugby League has a proud history as an inclusive sport and there are a huge variety of opportunities for women to get involved across both the grassroots and professional game.”

The Women in League section of the RFL website profiles nearly 20 women who play key roles in rugby league including Match Official Sarah Bennison and Vikings Chief Executive Julie Gaskell, Sky Sports presented Angela Powers and volunteer Catriona Hall. To view the Women in League section of the RFL website visit www.therfl.co.uk/equitydiversity/international_ womens_day/women_in_league_profiles

We hope that the website will inspire more women to get involved and that the resource will grow and develop. One example from our women in league profiles is:

Ebony Blake - RFL South East Development Officer

“I’ve been a Rugby League fan for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Queensland Australia, I was surrounded by Rugby League and always wanted to make a career of it. I first got the opportunity to work in Rugby League in 2008 in London when I became the community development manager Over 200 members of Huddersfield’s Asian community at Harlequins RL. celebrated a productive and successful year for Asian Currently, I am the RFL Regional Development Officer for participation in Rugby League at the South East England. My role is to develop Rugby League and Warriors game at the Galpharm Stadium in clubs, competitions and activities across this region. I am also March. Before the match community members took part the regional lead on Women’s and Girls Rugby League in a range of fun activities at the Zone; rugby skills, face across London and the South, which is very challenging but painting, information stalls, use of the play area and a very exciting. chance to talk to Saqib Murtza who plays for Co-operative Some of my key achievements and successes include securing Championship One side London Skolars about his £200,000 for the Harlequins RL Community programme in 2009, experiences as a professional player. coordinating the women’s and girls programme that grew over During half time the RFL presented members of the 300% between 2008 and 2010. Other achievements include Huddersfield Pakistani Youth Forum with Rugby League managing the Harlequins Rugby League Development team that reached over 20,000 young people a year and starting an RFL equipment to enable them to begin delivering taster Women’s regional league in London.” sessions within their local communities. Saif and Aadil both hope to continue volunteering with St Josephs ARLFC and to complete their level 1 coaching qualifications If you know of any women involved in Rugby League that would so that they can offer rugby league sessions within like to be featured please send the following information to Sarah their community. at [email protected]: - Photograph, preferably in their role Pakistani Youth Forum, St Josephs ARLFC and - Brief biography including Huddersfield Giants are planning to build on this success - Why or how they first got involved in Rugby League, and have exciting plans to maintain and develop this - Their role(s) in Rugby League partnership. - key achievements - what are you most proud of - Why Rugby league is important to them

p2 newsletter issue 13 | may 2011

International womens day club & community initiatives

Nottingham Celebrate with Inaugural Women Only Touch Rugby Sessions Girls Tournament FTUK (Female Touch UK) is a new initiative aimed at encouraging more and more women and girls to get active and get involved in Rugby League. Removing the barriers faced by playing full contact tackle Rugby League, touch rugby allows for more focus on the development of core skills such as passing, catching and awareness. Touch rugby is a chance to get fit, have fun, make new friends and learn how to play one of the fastest developing sports for women.

Female touch rugby has been launched in several towns The inaugural Year 8 Girls Champion Schools Tournament and cities across Yorkshire providing an opportunity to was held at Harvey Hadden Stadium, the new home of the train, play and prepare for the up and coming FTUK Nottingham Outlaws, on March 8th festivals planned in the summer. Three schools provided teams - Alderman White, Trinity For more information on the Huddersfield touch rugby Catholic and Bramcote Park. session Contact Steve Beaty on 01484 484178 or at “The girls are really keen to have a go and many of those [email protected] for more information. down today have seen friends play in PE and thought ‘that looks like a laugh’ and today they’re down having a go and representing their schools” he said. “A 30 minute explanation of the rules and techniques for falling and tackling and they’re into a game. Its great fun watching them explore the game and learn whilst they are enjoying RFL ambassador returns playing Rugby League with their mates.” from life changing experience Acting Nottingham Outlaws First Grade coach Simon Morton was in attendance and saw plenty of promise in in Afghanistan the players, “Its amazing to think that some of the players RFL Ambassador Andy Lindley has broken new ground haven’t picked up a Rugby League ball before today” he by delivering a nine day PE teacher training programme to noted. “The improvement during the two rounds of games a group of 40 select Afghan teachers in the Kabul area of was massive and I’d like to congratulate all the girls and Afghanistan. teachers for adding so much enthusiasm to a fantastic occasion.” Even more encouraging was that all the teams Andy travelled to Afghanistan as part of an agreement voiced an interest in playing more games in the future. between the Afghan Ministry of Education, The British Council and the RFL. The British Council had approached a number of major sporting organisations to facilitate a pilot training programme and Lindley, on behalf of the RFL, was the only sports body to accept the offer. Huddersfield Giants Women in League Parade Andy said “This was a once in a lifetime experience. It has been life changing for me personally. It’s made me realise how lucky we are in the West. Children and teachers literally risk their lives to get to school to try and improve their lives and the lives of others. The whole experience was incredibly humbling but very rewarding.”

As part of International women’s day celebrations at the Huddersfield Giants game a parade of women in Rugby League was organised. Below are some of the women and girls that took part. In the meantime the Giants are also launching their women only touch rugby sessions.

p3 newsletter issue 13 | may 2011

Crusaders Street Rugby Congratulations to Starr Zaman success in Wrexham – new RFL tutor Starr who attended the first BME coaching course a couple of years ago has recently qualified as an RFL coach tutor and last week delivered his first course. Coach Education has been integral to the success of the Connecting Communities Project. As lead officer in this area and a RFL qualified Coach Educator, it is essential that we play our part in helping members from all sections of the communities to achieve their dreams. The ‘Connecting Communities’ ongoing coaching professional Over the last year Street Rugby, which Crusaders have development has been key to developing a more thorough developed in partnership with North Wales Police, Safer awareness and understanding of the black and minority ethnic Wrexham “Community Safety Partnership”, National (BME) community coaches and the barriers they face in sport. organisation Street Games and community first, has been piloted in three deprived areas in Wrexham. I am very grateful for the opportunity provided by the Leeds Rugby Foundation’s Connecting Communities Project and the The key aims of this ambitious project were to reduce anti social Rugby Football League, and do hope my example and story can behaviour and crime, build trust and confidence of young people encourage other individuals to get involved and exceed in the and provide sporting opportunities in deprived areas. The results of this initiative have exceeded all expectations and the project sport of rugby league. was recently recognised for the prestigious High Sheriff of Clwyd Award. The program targeted 11 - 18 yrs girls and boys and in each Rugby league supports the area with weekly sessions held in the evening when there is an increased risk of anti social behaviour. Every 4 weeks the areas Government Charter for Action played in a festival which generated a real sense of community RFL, and all 14 Superleague clubs showed engagement; trophies were presented to the winners and the their support for the government’s “Tackling Homophobia and player of the tournament and we also offered Street Dance for Transphobia in Sport’ campaign by signing the Charter for younger children who then danced at the match. Action, which aims to make sport a welcoming place for lesbian, Street rugby is about literally taking sport to the doorstep and gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. the flexible rules means the game can be adapted to the venue whether this is on grass sand or cement. The Charter sets out to promote fairness, equality, respect and As a direct result of the project there has been some fantastic dignity within all sports from fans to players so that all sports outcomes to name a few: can be free if homophobic or transphobic abuse. • Decrease in anti social behaviour with ZERO calls to police Clubs and individuals can sign up to show their support for the from the time Street Rugby League started and finished charter by visiting www.facebook.com/lgbtsportcharter in Caia. • One child’s medical dosage for ADHD decreased through Street Rugby League, this young person was previously difficult to engage • Improved relations and trust between police and local community and families • Developed skills (sporting, social and emotional) of young people taking part in street rugby - three participants were put Alternative formats forward for scholarship trials The RFL has a commitment to providing information in alternate • Community engagement - increase in volunteers training as formats. To date we have copies of the RFL Laws of the Game - coaches and match officials (sustainability element) the official rule book - on audio tape. If you would like an further RFL documents or information in an audio format please contact Crusaders Community Development manager said Sarah Williams and we will endeavour to meet your needs. “This program is what Rugby League is all about giving everyone a go and a chance at the sport, whilst also helping decrease anti social behaviour. Myself and Miles Hanmer from For more information on any of the articles in this newsletter North Wales police would like to thank the partnerships please contact Sarah Williams at: involved and because of the success of the programme RFL, Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds, LS17 8NB Street Rugby will be expanding to new areas this year. tel 0113 2375037 or email [email protected] For more information contact Matt Pritchard on 01978262129 or email [email protected] P4