The O cial Magazine of Cares January 2017

elcome to the fi rst edition of One n ll n the ne name for Rugby League Cares’ W ne-look nesletter hich has gone through something of a transformation at the end of hat has been another busy year for the charity As you can see, we have rebranded and changed the format so that our members and supporters can get a clearer understanding of the breadth of work we do throughout the sport. In this edition we welcome a number of new partners who have recently joined the charity to assist our work, particularly the support we provide to former and current players in all levels of the game. All Sport Insurance and Purple Travel have come on board as members of the newly-formed Rugby League Cares Business Club which aims to provide a wide range of services that help players, particularly in areas where the nature of their occupation can put them at a disadvantage. 2016 proved to be a challenging year for the charity as we continued to play an important role in assisting players successfully transitioning from the sport by awarding education and welfare grants. We enjoyed a very successful partnership with Rugby AM and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal on the Ride to Rio challenge; and we secured grants from Curious Minds and Cape UK to support club foundations to deliver some life-affi rming experiences for young people in their communities via a Cultural Welcome Partnership programme. This culminated in which will deliver great outcomes for our Finally, I hope you enjoy this new version some terrifi c dance performances at maor benefi ciaries and which is easy for the public of the newsletter and catching up about all events during the year. Finally, we launched to understand and support. our work. All that leaves me to say is thank what I’m sure will be a fl agship initiative for One of the key pieces of feedback we you for your support in the last 12 months the whole sport - the have received from the public is the need and here’s to a successful, healthy and Museum project. for clarity of understanding of what we do prosperous 2017 for everyone. The museum announcement followed an and why. One in, all in! extensive and thorough consultation process e are very lucky to receive amaing Chris Rostron which led to the forging of what is proving support from the Rugby League family, Head of Rugby League Cares to be a strong partnership with support which is vital to our work and, more Council and we are very much looking importantly, those we are here to help. 2016 forward to working with them in 2017 and was a record year for donations and it is beyond to secure support for what we are important to everyone concerned with the confi dent will be an amaing opportunity for charity that people feel they can support us the sport to celebrate its unique history. and know where that support goes. As we continue to grow we have been Hopefully this new magaine will give you considering the best possible structure for the an insight into how people have helped us charity and how this might look in the future. in 2016 and how you could play your part The aim is to create something that is optimal, in 2017.

We are very lucky to receive amazing support from the Rugby League family, support which is vital to our work and, more importantly, those we are here to help

3  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017 Contents...

Fundraising news 05 rom ig en to the iff el Tower About Rugby League Cares Sunnier horizons 09 How Purple Travel will help players Rugby League Cares is the sport’s independent charity Feeding the grassroots which works with stakeholders from across the game to 10 ommunity ame a e raises record sums provide current and former players with practical and Suited and booted fi nancial assistance in areas such as education, training and 12 Business leaders learn from sporting heroes welfare. Working with club Question Time foundations, the charity also provides targeted health and 14 RL Cares trustee Dave Woods on the charity, video refs and wellbeing support to the sport’s community, protects In the Lions den and nurtures the game’s rich heritage and, through the RFL 16 Heritage plans for tour stars reunion Benevolent Fund, supports players who have experienced Back from the brink life-changing injuries. Grants to professional 19 Gary Carter on how he cheated death players for education or training are largely funded via Transitioning from trouble the fi nes collected through the year from breaches of the RFL’s 20 Ewan Dowes on life after Rugby League Operational Rules by clubs and players. Laying the foundations To help fulfi l its role within the game, Rugby League 22 How clubs are delivering at local level Cares always welcomes donations no matter how big Past, present and future or small: to make a donation to Rugby League Cares 26 Former players sign up en bloc as RL Cares members please visit our Just Giving page, www.justgiving.com/ RFL Benevolent Fund rugbyleaguecares 28 upport where it’s needed most For all enquiries, please email: [email protected] Back to the future One In, All In is produced 30 The birth of the National Rugby League Museum project and edited by John Ledger on behalf of Rugby League Reaching out Cares. A huge thanks to all our contributors, including Gary 32 How RL Cares is helping increase participation Carter, Natasha Prout, Dave oods and pix. It’s a mystery Published by: 38 Calling all Rugby League detectives Dance crazy 01347 821344 40 The youngsters who lit up the Four Nations Printed by: S&G Print Group Unsung heroes 42 Recognition for our amazing volunteers

4  www.rugbyleaguecares.org FUNDRAISING: CASEFILE 1 Cross-Channel bike ride Lifelong Rhinos fans Dean Bettinson and Kevin Walton experienced the best of times and, thankfully, none of the worst of times in June on an epic cycle ride on behalf of Rugby League Cares. Dean and Kevin pedalled from to Paris to raise a magnifi cent , for the charity and complete their own tale of two cities over four memorable days. e had a great time, although the last half day was a real killer because I ran out of energy very uickly, said ean, whose eeds-based security company ed sponsors the ancam on ugby . e could see the iff el Tower in the distance but it never seemed to get any nearer e are both mad hinos fans and decided to do the ride on behalf of ugby eague ares after chatting with amie ones-uchanan. The charity does some fantastic work in a sport that has given me and evin a lot of great memories down the years. The ride was our way of putting something back.

FUNDRAISING: CASEFILE 2 Parliament raise £3,000 for RL Cares Members of Parliament and peers put aside their political di erences in November to raise £3,000 for Rugby League Cares at the Parliamentary Rugby League Group’s annual dinner. taged in the historic setting of the Palace of estminster, the dinner was hosted by the roup’s President, ord Hoyle, on the House of ords terrace, and brought together members of both Houses of Parliament, Honorary embers, ssociate embers, roup supporters and sponsors ingstone Press and the . elebrating its 28th year, the roup is a great supporter of ares and comprises members from both Houses and across all maor parties. ttendees took part in a silent auction and ra e during the course of the dinner to raise over , for ares. roup hairman reg ulholland P said embers of the roup are passionate about ugby eague, from the elite level to grassroots, and are delighted to be able to support the game wherever they can. cheue for , was received on behalf of ares by guest speaker Paul ellens, the former t Helens, ngland Chris Hill and receive a cheque and reat ritain full-back, and ngland for £3,000 for RL Cares from Lord Hoyle and arrington prop hris Hill.

5  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

FUNDRAISING: CASEFILE 3 Kev’s crossbar challenge The generosity of Ch allenge Cup sponsors Ladbrokes ensured Hull FC and Academy weren’t the only winners at Wembley in August. While most attention focused on Hull FC’s victory over Wolves in the fi nal itself, and Castleford Academy’s defeat of Brooksbank in the traditional Year 7 boys’ curtain-raiser, Rugby League Cares came away from the sport’s big day out with a Kevin Sinfi eld was a £25,000 winner lasting legacy. for RL Cares at Wembley Wembley featured a crossbar kicking challenge sponsored by Ladbrokes that saw Kevin Sinfi eld, the RFL’s newly-appointed Rugby Director, attempt to win £125,000 for Rugby League Cares Hundreds of players have already received help with fees for with a well-placed kick at the posts. university courses, further education and vocational training from Although the ball sailed agonisingly close to the crossbar and Rugby League Cares, including Motu Tony, Hull FC’s Director of just missed the target, Ladbrokes generously presented who graduated from the University of Huddersfi eld with a League Cares with a cheque for £25,000 as consolation to provide Masters degree in Business Administration two years ago. a massive boost to the charity’s player welfare programme. “I’ll always be grateful to Rugby League Cares for their help in Chris Rostron, the Head of Rugby League Cares, said: “As the enabling me to better myself by completing my Masters,” said Tony. players’ offi cial charity, Rugby League Cares awards training and “I left it late and applied for an education grant after I retired education grants to current players to help them prepare for life and whilst it wasn’t easy balancing my work commitments with after rugby. This fantastic gesture by Ladbrokes will allow us to help studying, it was manageable and I’m really pleased I did it. It’s more players gain the qualifi cations they need to make a success of important for all players that they start thinking about what their their lives once their playing days are over. On behalf of the players next career move will be as early as possible: I would urge any I would like to thank Ladbrokes, and Kevin Sinfi eld, for supporting player thinking about doing a course to get in touch with Rugby Rugby League Cares and the work we do.” League Cares.”

FUNDRAISING: CASEFILE 4 FUNDRAISING: CASEFILE 5 On the whistle Rugby League’s match offi cials get more than their fair share of criticism, but Rugby League Cares won’t hear a word said against them after the men in the middle (and those on the touchlines) made a generous £350 donation to the charity. The donation, which was boosted by £87.50 in gift aid, came from the proceeds of the raffl e from their annual dinner held at Berties Banqueting Rooms in Elland. Referee of the Year Robert Hicks was not the only winner on the night, with Rugby League Cares gaining valuable resources to enable it to continue its sterling work. “We have all been mightily impressed by the work that Rugby League Cares does and were delighted to make this donation to the charity,” said Robert, who took charge of his fi rst Super League at Old Traff ord in October. Rangers raise £500 Rangers made a generous £500 donation to Rugby League Cares after the club hosted the 2016 Conference Challenge Trophy fi nal at its superbly- equipped Manchester Regional Arena. The National Conference League knockout match saw Mayfi eld defeat Hunslet Club Parkside 24-20 at the former Commonwealth Games warm-up venue and raise £1,000 for the Rangers. “It was a great day and we were delighted to split the proceeds between the club’s designated charity, Greater Sport, and Rugby League Cares which does such a fantastic job,” said Manchester Rangers spokesman Phil Fitton.

6  www.rugbyleaguecares.org FUNDRAISING: CASEFILE 6 FUNDRAISING: CASEFILE 7 clocks up Great North Run hat-trick Matt King OBE completed a brilliant hat-trick of Great North Runs in 2016 to raise almost £3,000 for Rugby League Cares. att, who fi rst did the reat orth un a decade ago and then again in 2, was oined by a team of to fi nish a gruelling half-marathon in sweltering conditions. Chris Hawkins was one of just two runners to do the Ten ear Treble alongside att and said this year’s run was easily the most uplifting. e had a fantastic time and the reception att got all along the route was ust amaing, said hris. efore the race started the showed a video fi lm about how inspirational att has been and from the fi rst metre to the last the crowd encouraged him with calls of ‘Come on atthew’ It was very humbling and gave us a big lift, especially later in the run.” att’s team also featured iie ones, who only started training a few months beforehand, and a -year-old grandmother who had never run before until 2 weeks prior to raceday. The whole team were great and we can’t thank them enough, added hris, who hopes to do further fundraising On yer bike! ventures for Rugby League Cares in the future. Their club may have come away without the sport’s most It would be great to do the ondon arathon with att coveted trophy but James Howes and Nathan March but that’s unlikely to happen now because the organisers returned with special Wembley memories in August after won’t accept our entry. We’ve done the New York marathon completing a fantastic fundraising ride. and three reat orth uns and ondon would make for a athan, who works for arclays, and ames, the sports great set. till, we’d certainly love to do something special and lifestyle manager with the Charitable on behalf of Rugby League Cares next year.” oundation, rode from The Halliwell ones tadium to att was left paralysed from the neck down as a embley in aid of the foundation and the anny ones teenager while playing Rugby League for the London efi brillator und. roncos cademy after severing his spinal cord in a tackle. The dynamic duo completed the 22-mile ride in ust ince then, with support from the enevolent und, two days and reached the national stadium in time to see he has gone on to achieve a fi rst class honours degree in Warrington take on eventual winners Hull FC in one of the law, ualifi ed as a lawyer, developed into an accomplished most exciting hallenge up fi nals of recent years. mouth artist and motivational speaker - and completed ames and athan raised , in total, which was some amazing physical challenges. divided equally between the Wolves foundation and the There is still time to donate to att’s Ten ear Treble - defi brillator fund, which has close links with the club. please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tenyeartreble iie came along to the stadium at the start of the season to open our new sound system and spent a lot of time with some of the people who had raised money to purchase a second defi brillator for the stadium, said ames. iie handed out badges to them all and made a big impression. s a way of saying thank you we decided to do what we could to raise money to buy another defi brillator through the anny ones fund for use by the local community. It was a great ride, but ust a shame about the result on the pitch

TELL US YOUR FUNDRAISI NG STORIES! Are you planning to go the extra mile for Rugby League Cares, the RFL Benevolent Fund or any of the sport’s great charitable causes? aybe you’ve got a marathon bike ride lined up, are taking part in a fun run or are cajoling your friends into participating in some crazy stunts to enable us to continue our good work? hatever you are doing for ugby eague ares in 2, please let us know and we’ll be happy to help raise awareness of your venture, and maybe include details in our next magazine. Tell us your fundraising stories by emailing [email protected]

7  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017 RL Cares ambassador Anthony Mullally makes most of opportunites

t a time when Donald Trump has gone on to become the Anthony and Leeds team-mate visited Little Lokos in York next President of the United A States of America, a career in property development has never appeared to have so much opportunity. However, Rugby League Cares ambassador Anthony Mullally insists his inspiration for investing in bricks and mortar has come from a more infl uential fi gure than the man with the world’s most famous comb- over: his mum. The prop has been combining his playing career with some shrewd business dealings for a couple of remember a few years ago chatting to a team- from rugby was drilled into them by the club years now and attributes his vision to advice mate who admitted that he had no idea what and that’s how it should be.” from the most important woman in his life. he wanted to do when he fi nished. He was 28 His time in Queensland helped Mullally “My mum has always given me good advice at the time and that shocked me. I decided realise that sports science was not for him but and I already own a couple of properties. It’s then that I wouldn’t be as clueless about my he has opted to return to study with support defi nitely something I’m looking to do full- future by the time I got to his age. from a grant from Rugby League Cares. time when my playing days are over,” said the “We get lots of good advice at Leeds from “My passion outside rugby is photography 25-year-old, who represented Ireland in the our player welfare manager Kylie (Leuluai, the and it would be great to forge some sort of 2013 . former Rhinos prop) and most of the boys are career alongside my interests in property,” “It’s really important for players to think aware of their options.” he said. “A grant from Rugby League Cares about life after rugby as early as they can. I After completing his A-levels Mullally has enabled me to enrol on a course at Leeds secured a place at university to do a sports College of Art and I’m loving it. science degree but instead chose to leave “The charity does so much great work Leeds Rhinos prop his hometown club to play in across the sport I feel privileged to be an Anthony Mullally has . ambassador. I visited the Little Lokos club in received a Rugby League Cares grant to “I went to and played York, which was set up with help from a Rugby study photography at for their Under-20s team. It was a brilliant League Cares grant. Leeds College of Art experience, second to none and I’m really “Most of the kids hadn’t played Rugby pleased I did it,” he said. League before and it was brilliant to see how “A lot of the Broncos players were working enthusiastic they were. It’s really important part-time and the club made sure there were that people continue to support Rugby League lots of opportunities to sort themselves out. Cares, it’s a fantastic charity and I can’t praise The need to look at possible options away them highly enough.”

I remember a few years ago chatting to a team- mate who admitted that he had no idea what he wanted to do when he fi nished. He was 28 at the time and that shocked me. I decided then that I wouldn’t be as clueless about my future

8  www.rugbyleaguecares.org Purple Travel sign up as charity partner

ugby League Cares’ player access to free upgrades, where available, on welfare programme has holidays from a wide range of operators. gained an even sunnier Through the partnership, Purple Travel will R outlook after the charity support Rugby League Cares’ player welfare agreed a partnership with programme, enabling the charity to continue one of the UK’s leading holiday specialists, providing training and education grants which Purple Travel. allow players to plan for life after rugby when The Sunderland-based online travel their playing careers come to an end. agency is the latest company to join the Chris Rostron, the Head of Rugby League Rugby League Cares Business Club, which Cares, said: “I am delighted to welcome aims to provide a range of exclusive benefi ts Purple Travel as the latest members of the and off ers for the game’s most important Business Club, which is helping the charity Purple Travel Director stakeholders, its players. fulfi l its aims of supporting current and former Stavros Mavromatis The RL Cares Business Club has already Rugby League players. Our players and their partnered with All Sport Insurance and families make huge sacrifi ces during the AFEX as part of a player welfare programme season and it is often diffi cult for them, due to partnership with Rugby League Cares. We designed to support and assist players in their playing commitments and restrictions on look forward to helping the charity’s members, areas where the nature of their work can leave the times they can travel, to fi nd holidays that family and friends fi nd the perfect holiday to them at a disadvantage. meet their needs. relax, have fun or explore a new destination. And now, having played, trained and “Purple Travel’s expertise and best price We are also very proud to support the charity worked hard all year, players don’t have to try guarantee means that wherever in the world in all the work that it does for its members. too hard to get the best deal for their holidays players want to spend their hard-earned rest “Purple Travel’s team prides itself on giving come the end of a long Rugby League season. and relaxation time, they can do so safe in the the best service and helping our customers Purple Travel’s specialist staff will use knowledge that they have access to the best tailor-make their holiday experience. their expertise to put together tailor-made holidays at the best possible price.” “No matter what type of holiday you are packages at the best possible prices for Purple Travel Director Stavros Mavromatis looking for, Purple Travel will off er support and Rugby League players, who will also have said: “We are very excited to be working in expertise every step of the way!”

9  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

Community Game Ra e raises £50k

ugby League’s grassroots is looking healthier than ever The Rugby League Cares Community Game Ra e indiidual inners ere before as 2017 approaches RE ER ELLG CLB R after receiving a £50,000 fundraising windfall courtesy st prie trip to ustralia for two people including tickets for ngland eff all ramlington ockets of Rugby League Cares. vs ustralia in elbourne in 2. lubs around the have benefi ted from nd prie travel voucher from Travelleads. cowan eyland arriors the record-breaking cash inection after participating in the 2 ares ommunity rd prie The ultimate ugby eague season ticket - two tickets to the tewart eadhead ottingham utlaws rand inal, hallenge up inal, agic eekend and ame a e, per cent of the proceeds ummer ash. from which is reinvested into community and unior ugby eague. th prie day at the aces for four people. ack Humphries ewsome Panthers ow in its ninth year, the 2 ra e raised th prie luxury hamper. alaikha loyd ngland tudents record amounts for the sport’s grassroots after , tickets were sold by community clubs, th prie technology bundle. avid itchfi eld oolston overs unior clubs and other ugby eague groups th prie 2 our ations match offi cials ersey signed by all arry unn and organisations. participating match offi cials.

ver clubs have cashed in on the most th prie oger illward and ick ullivan elebration dinner brochure ohnny oberts oolston overs successful ra e ever held to raise their own autographed by Hall of ame members. funds and contribute to ugby eague ares, the charity which plays a key role in many th prie signed atalans ragons ersey. rs rown pton areas of the sport, including player welfare, th prie 2 ustralia-themed our ations ball. Ian Turner Hull ockers unior development and heritage. 2 ew ealand-themed our ations ball. Tom avies or every ticket sold clubs keep p, th prie with p going to ugby eague ares to th prie 2 cotland-themed our ations ball. oig rmed orces fund proects like unior development grants th prie n offi ce chair. ohn ummers ochdale ayfi eld see page to help clubs set up new nder- s teams. The 2 ugby eague ares th prie ugby eague apparel. ee Halloes eyland arriors ommunity ame a e draw took place on th prie ugby eague apparel. regson Hindley onday ecember and was particularly well

10  www.rugbyleaguecares.org received in the orth ast, where eff all was the lucky winner of the fi rst prie, a trip for two to ustralia next year, including tickets for ngland’s ugby eague orld up 2 game RAF FUNDRAISERS JET against ustralia in elbourne. eff is the chairman of ramlington ockets, who also became the biggest selling INTO GRAND FINAL community club for the second consecutive The Royal Air Force Rugby League take part in such a well-organised year, and is delighted to be heading own team - or at least six members - event, and look forward to taking nder’. ill be heading to Old Tra ord in part again in 2. It’s fantastic news, not least because I rarely October to enjoy the 2017 Super win anything I’m really looking forward to the League Grand fi nal from the The full list of prie-winning clubs is game in elbourne, said eff . comfort of a hospitality box. 1 RAF Rugby League I’ve acuired a few more best friends’ since The secured six of the best , tickets sold the draw when it emerged that I’d won a trip seats for the end-of-season title ox for six at the 2 uper for two but I’ll be accompanied by someone decider after being the club or group League Grand Final very special my girlfriend arah. he’s that sold the most tickets for the 2 2 Cramlington Rockets 2, totally unaware of the win and I’m planning ugby eague ares ommunity of hinos kit on breaking the news to her at hristmas. ame a e. The boys in blue sold a pton 2, Hopefully she won’t hear from anyone else stunning , tickets as part of the 2 tickets to agic eekend 2 before then sport’s biggest fundraising initiative, 4 Leyland Warriors , ramlington are one of the game’s most raising almost ,2 for their own fully bespoke kit proactive community clubs and this year took team in the process, some of which 5 ,2 their share of proceeds from ommunity will be used to help send serving selection of signed memorabilia ame a e ticket sales to over , after personnel own nder’ for the for fundraising selling 2, tickets for the 2 draw. rmed orces orld up in the Crosfi elds ,8 The ommunity ame a e is an autumn. selection of signed memorabilia important source of funds for our club and e’ve got some big decisions for fundraising it’s great to raise money for ourselves and to make about who gets to use the 7 Nottingham Outlaws , put something back into the game via ugby box but it will be put to good use 2 tickets to 2 eague ares, added eff . said ugby eague irector of hallenge up fi nal any of our members give up their time perations, lt gt y Hicks. 8 ,8 to volunteer for ares at maor events like The ommunity ame a e is a 2 tickets to 2 ummer ash and the Super League Grand brilliant initiative and we’re delighted inal and we’re more than happy to help. to do all we can to support it next In addition, clubs won lucky dip ther individual winners included year we’re defi nitely going to aim to pries for participating in the ra e .cowan eyland arriors who won a sell more than , tickets. Telford aiders, Halifax heelchair, travel voucher, and tewart edhead The second biggest sellers were everley, heffi eld niversity, ulton ottingham utlaws who won the ultimate orth ast club ramlington ockets, aiders, Hunslet reen, erby ity, ugby eague season ticket two tickets to who sold 2, tickets, including the arrow Island, lackpool tanley and the uper eague rand inal, adbrokes one that secured the main prie of a eigh iners angers. hallenge up fi nal, agic eekend and trip for two to the 2 ugby eague The top selling schools were t ummer ash. orld up in ustralia, won by their Peter’s atholic High chool , The draw was conducted by four ugby chairman eff all. The ockets won tickets sold and utwood range eague legends ugby irector evin worth of hinos ugby kit in cademy ,8, both of whom infi eld , two-time uper eague an of recognition of their selling skills. received pries. teel Paul culthorpe , ngland assistant pton from est orkshire won ugby eague ares would like to coach Paul nderson and Hull ingston overs 2 tickets to agic eekend 2 thank and hino ugby for their ootball anager amie Peacock . after selling 2, ommunity ame support for the ommunity ame amie, the former radford, eeds and a e tickets, whilst eyland arriors a e. ngland forward, who is a trustee of ugby from ancashire will take to the fi eld eague ares, said It’s fantastic that so in 2 wearing a fully bespoke kit many clubs have participated in this year’s supplied by after selling , ommunity ame a e and raised a record tickets. amount of money for areas of the sport where eyland’s nder-s coach ary it does most good. Hill said This is the third year I would like to congratulate all the winners running that we have been involved and thank everyone who purchased tickets, with the ommunity ame a e the people who donated pries and the and once again it has proven to be amaing volunteers who folded , tickets very rewarding for us. The ra e is for helping the 2 ugby eague ares one of our biggest fundraisers as a ommunity ame a e become the most club and over the past three years successful ever. has seen us raise nearly , so This year was the ninth ommunity ame we are very grateful to be able to a e which has now raised over ,, all of which has been invested into the sport’s grassroots or ugby eague charitable proects.

11  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017 BUSINESS IN SPORT IN ASSOCIATION WITH: usiness leaders from across the is likely to become a regular feature in the about your players and make sure they enjoy Northern Powerhouse region RL Cares calendar. what they’re doing. were given fascinating and The Master of Ceremonies for the night was “It’s important as a coach that I enjoy what B valuable insights into what BBC journalist and presenter Tanya Arnold, I’m doing as a start: I’m better at things when I drives professional athletes whose aff able and relaxed manner put the four enjoy doing them and you have to assume that and how best to manage and motivate them speakers at ease and allowed them to relate most people are too. You also need to have a at a hugely successful event in Manchester. some compelling stories about their work. good work ethic. You can’t have fun without a The inaugural Rugby League Cares Business First up was Wayne Bennett, the good work ethic. It’s good when players come in Sport dinner featured a stellar line-up of Rugby League coach, who took time out from off the training fi eld having a laugh and oke speakers who entertained an appreciative preparations for the opening Four Nations enjoying each other’s company. audience which dug deep in the charity fi xture against ew ealand to talk about “If I was running a business I’d want the auction to help three fantastic causes. what motivates him and how he has become same. People aren’t good when they’re Sponsored by All Sport Insurance, the one of Australia’s most successful sports under stress or insecure. That’s just not an dinner raised almost £10,000 for RL Cares, coaches. environment where people in any business can the RFL Benevolent Fund and the National Bennett said: “There are three elements to be their best. You have to care for the people Football Museum, which hosted an event that my coaching philosophy: keep it simple, care you work with, whatever industry you’re in. If

RFL Transitions Manager Head of Rugby League Cares Chris Rostron second left ith Terry Flanagan Paul Highton and guests and Geo and Amy Derham from di nner sponsors All Sport Insurance

Sinfi eld emphasises RL players’ transferrable skills Kein infi eld MBE has urged the corporate orld to enrich their business performance by recognising the skills and abilities that could come from recruiting Rugby League players. The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain was one of the speakers at the Rugby League Cares Business in Sport dinner and believes his former team-mates have lots to off er in the workplace away from the rugby pitch. infi eld, , recently oined the ugby ootball eague as ugby

Former England captain evin Sin eld MBE told Tanya Arnold irector after hanging up his boots and is one of the fi rst generation of the di culties players face at the end of their careers of players to step into retirement having spent 20 years full-time with a Super League club.

12  www.rugbyleaguecares.org you care you give them direction and a focus and the knowledge that you’re always there for them. To care you have to have an interest in someone as a person, and not because of what their job or role is.” The importance of recognising players or staff as individuals fi rst and foremost was echoed by Clarke , a retired footballer and former chairman of the Professional Footballers Association who has been working with the on its transition programme in recent months. “It’s incredible how sportsmen and women across all sports share the same thought processes and face so many of the same issues,” said Carlisle. “Everyone is aware that there is an issue with transition in football but we are past that stage. I am done with beating the awareness drum. We now need to start identifying solutions.

ccasionally there are high profi le stories England Rugby Leagues ayne on the front pages involving people like Bennett, host Tanya Arnold and George Best and Paul Gascoigne but it’s a e-England striker Andre Cole fundamental problem that aff ects men and women in all sports. Knowing that you have to prepare for the transition from being a you can spot fl uctuations and understand The charity auction was conducted by Pete professional athlete at the end of your career when someone needs help. We need to Emmett, in association with Frame Smart of is far removed from the actuality of what educate other coaches and managers to do Halifax. happens. what comes naturally to Wayne Bennett.” The Head of ugby eague ares, hris “Players go through a grieving process and Former Manchester United and England ostron, said e had huge expectations for people suff ering from grief can be vulnerable. striker Andy Cole, who spent much of his the Business in Sport Dinner and the night Instead of disaster recovery we need to focus career working under ir lex erguson at ld surpassed everything we hoped for which is on prevention, and that involves getting Traff ord, spoke fondly of his memories of the testimony to the calibre of all those involved. players to understand what they are as human most successful football manager of modern “The speakers were superb, Tanya was an beings not what they do as a job. times. excellent host, Pete did a great ob with the “Yes, their job is a passion but they are so “When I started out as an apprentice auction and the feedback from our guests has much more than that. Without football I am no managers could and would say anything they been universally positive. less of a father, no less of a husband, no less wanted to the players and you just had to get “There are real synergies between the of a son and no less a member of society, but on with it,” said Cole. worlds of business and sport which aren’t that’s how I felt because my identity and the lex was very diff erent. He respected the always obvious and I know from the messages sport were inextricably linked. players and the players respected him for we have received from guests since Tuesday “It’s important for managers to think like it. From the day he joined the club until the that they found it very insightful. Wayne has outlined: they need to focus on the day he left his manner with the players was “The night raised much-needed resources person, not the job they do. A good manager fantastic. He pulled no punches sometimes for three very important charities and we are spends time with his employees and gets to but he was always honest. Listening to Wayne very grateful to everyone who dug deep to understand their normal behaviour. That way ennett felt a lot like listening to ir lex. help make it such a huge success.”

“People who have been involved in professional sport always infi eld prepared for life after rugby by completing a degree and a have great stories to tell,” he said. “There’s a massive crossover Masters in Sports Business and he told the Business in Sport dinner in transferable skills and abilities. Players have lots to off er the how important it was for him to be able to study. business world, certainly in diffi cult times. Players are accustomed “You think you are ready to step into the big wide world when you to thinking and performing under pressure: as a player you deal with get to the end of your career but it’s never easy,” he said. adversity more often than people in ‘normal’ jobs do and that forges “I was fortunate that I was able to study for two degrees because in you an ability to make sound judgments. I was involved in a sport that allows you to, but it was tough. “Most people in working life go through things like annual The welfare support off ered to ugby eague players now by performance reviews but as a player you are judged on a weekly organisations like RL Cares and the RFL is pretty ground-breaking. basis. You have to learn to take constructive criticism and improve It’s been a great experience working at the but it’s very week on week: who wouldn’t want someone who comes from such diff erent to all I knew before. I’ve come from that dressing room an environment to be part of their business? environment where you can pretty much say what you want but not f course players reaching retirement will be short of experience anymore! It’s been a challenge but that’s something I’ve embraced of the business world but they learn quickly and companies have so and something I’m sure every player will be prepared to do when much to gain by giving them opportunities.” they make their transition out of the game.”

13  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017 QUESTION TIME with Dave Woods... He is best known as the voice of Rugby League on BBC TV and radio, and Rugby League Cares is proud to count Dave Woods as one of its trustees. But what does being a trustee involve? Why does Dave Woods care about Rugby League? And what would he change about the sport, given the opportunity? In our exclusive interview, here is the world according to Woods:

RLC hen and ho did you become a trustee of Rugby League Cares A couple of years ago. I was asked by Nigel Wood, the RFL chief executive, if it was something I’d be interested in doing and I jumped at the chance.

RLC o much did you kno about the charity before you became a trustee I didn’t realise that a Rugby League charity with this breadth existed. RL Cares works very closely with the RFL Benevolent Fund, but also with lots of other RL-based charities like the Steve Prescott Foundation and State of Mind, as well as covering areas such as player and ex-player welfare, grassroots support and supporting the history and traditions of the game.

RLC hat does being a trustee inole Being a trustee means attending regular meetings, being kept in touch with the work that’s being done or is in the pipeline, and off ering our own insights and particular skills. The trustees have a broad range of experience from both within and outside the game.

Dave and his wife Dave, pictured here on the television Julie Stott, the Daily gantry ith John ear, is the voice of Stars Rugby League Rugby League on BBC T and radio correspondent

14  www.rugbyleaguecares.org RLC hich aspect of the charity’s genius on so many occasions for club, ork do you feel is most important state and country to turn lost causes into They’re all important, but I do legendary victories. Favourite player to particularly love the traditions of the game. interview as a journalist is Cameron Smith, So is RL Cares’ role in keeping alive the the current Aussie captain - always a gent, history of the game and keeping ex-players always interesting. very much involved in our sport is terrifi c. RLC ou are folloing in some RLC o has Rugby League Cares distinguished footsteps as the oice of changed during your time as a trustee Rugby League on the BBC ho tough I think it’s matured as a charity. as it taking oer from Ray rench nd The early emphasis was on building did you eer meet his predecessor Eddie membership from within the game and aring that’s still important - because it gives us all It was very tough to take over from Ray French - One of the a chance to belong to something we believe Frenchy because he was, and is, adored. best people I kno in. But now, thanks to the sterling work of He’s one of the best people I know. ut he Chris Rostron, RL Cares is getting more is always generous with his advice as well, outside funding and grants, bringing new so I’ve learned lots from him. He knows instance, the clubs and the RFL need to money in to help look after some important everyone, the world over! And there is no take the marketing of the issues. better time spent than being in his company much, much more seriously. It’s the only as he tells some of his tales. I never met competition currently on terrestrial T Eddie. The nearest I came was being in a giving a potential audience of millions a press room at the old many, window to look in on our sport. When that many years ago and he walked through. I’d audience does look in and sees half-empty have loved to have known him. stadiums they see us as a small, dying sport and are turned off . lubs and the are RLC f you could change one rule in letting the sport down by not making the Rugby League hat ould it be most of the big opportunities to sell our Make the video ref available only game to the biggest audience. for close calls in the corner to determine whether a foot or a hand has touched the RLC o important is the ational line. Otherwise, it should only be available Rugby League Museum going to be to the as a Captain’s Call and each team has only sport one review per game. The National Museum will be fantastic. I was engaged in Rugby League RLC f you could go back in time and by the stories my dad told about his heroes commentate on one match from history and their deeds - the Bostons, the Foxes, the hich ould it be Sullivans and their like. At our age we can Green igo as an early Probably the 1985 Challenge Cup now bask in the glorious nostalgia of what hero of Dave Woods Final - the best I’ve seen at Wembley. The we’ve grown up watching. By having this two favourites that I have commentated museum we can capture all those tales of on - both for adio - were reat ritain glory and greatness from every generation RLC hat is your earliest Rugby victories over the Aussies. The 1994 game and preserve them for generations to come League memory nd ho as your at embley - dwards sent-off , avies - sometimes through the physical evidence Rugby League hero as a fan fl ying in for one of the greatest-ever provided by old shirts, cups and medals, or y dad took me to my fi rst tries. And the 2006 win in Sydney - Willie sometimes just through the story-telling. match when I was two-years-old, Mason’s punch, ’s brilliance so I can’t remember a time when and so much more besides. RLC The museum aims to tell the story Rugby League wasn’t a part of of Rugby League using the memories of my life. My earliest hero was RLC hat do you think are the fans hat is your faourite story from liff Hill, then reen igo. In biggest issues facing the sport your inolement in the sport my early teens I idolised no I’m not sure there is one story Dennis Boyd - hardest Parochialism. There that tops any other, but could I make a hitting tackler I’ve ever are bubbles of success suggestion for a display in the museum? seen. Darren Lockyer throughout Rugby League An animatronic Ray French telling all his is the ultimate hero - land; a few clubs that are fantastic tales from the game - the matches incredibly talented, run very professionally he’s played in or commentated on, the world class as and do very well. But to characters he’s come across, the things he’s both full-back and make a real impact on seen. It would be a bit like the Abraham stand-off , and he Cameron hearts and minds that incoln animatronic in the Hall of Presidents had the ability to Smith is held aren’t currently attached at DisneyWorld. And you could sit there all in high regard produce a moment to our game, we have to day listening, always be amused, never get of unfl ustered think much bigger. For bored and never hear the same story twice.

15  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

Des Drummond, Henderson Gill and Paul Loughlin ere among the Lions ho came together to All our yesterdays revisits support England in the recent Four Nations some old memories ith Lions colleagues at the 201 Lions Association luncheon Rugby League Lions to receive unique heritage numbers

t is one of the most famous and the fi rst angaroos the following year, and history of the sport and it is right and proper names in world sport, a helped establish the sport that would become that the tour heroes are recognised in this concept that dates back Rugby League as the dominant code in way,” said Rugby League Lions Association I to 1910 and a brand which Australia. secretary John Ledger. has embraced many of the Rugby League’s southern “The annual Lions luncheon is greatest athletes eer to grace a rugby fi eld hemisphere tourists are the always a great occasion when Only those with special qualities get to play original Lions, with the Great tourists reunite to share on the international stage: and there is nothing Britain Lions Association having stories and memories of more special than being selected to represent formed on November 18, 1945 their trips ‘Down Under’: all your country in the southern hemisphere as a when 61 players met at Belle the Lions who attend the Rugby League Lion. Vue, Manchester. It would be lunch will be presented with In January 2017, the importance of this fi ve more years before rugby their framed unique heritage noble band of brothers will be celebrated like union adopted the name. number. We hope to make never before when a ceremony takes place In total, 582 players the presentation an annual to present each Lion with his unique heritage have represented England, feature of the lunch with number. Wales or Great Britain in Lions who have previously Working with Rugby League Cares, Test matches or international tournaments not been able to attend receiving their the Rugby League Lions Association has in the southern hemisphere since 1910, the heritage number at the event. just completed the exhaustive process of most recent being the players who played for “The Lions are numbered sequentially researching the history of the brave men England in the 2014 Four Nations. with Jim Lomas, the captain of the original who have plied their trade in a Test series or The fi rst framed certifi cates bearing each Lions in 1910, listed at Number 1. It is also international tournament ‘Down Under’ since player’s unique heritage number will be our intention, over time, to trace the families the pioneering voyage of the original Lions 106 presented to the tour heroes at the Rugby of lost Lions and present them with their years ago. League Lions Association’s annual luncheon at heritage numbers.” Led by captain James Lomas and playing the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, on Saturday Many Rugby League Lions attended the as England, the 1910 Lions defeated Australia January 28. 2 our ations fi xtures as guests of the 27-20 before a crowd of 42,000 in Sydney nnumbered Heritage ertifi cates will also Rugby Football League, who have been very and then clinched the series and be produced for each of the non-playing Lions supportive of the Association. with a 22-17 success in Brisbane, before members, including players who toured but Tickets for the Rugby League Lions drawing against a combined Australia-New were not selected to play, and coaching and Association annual lunch on Saturday Zealand team. That historic tour built on the backroom staff . January 28 cost £35 and can be purchased foundations laid down by the visits to these “The tradition of Rugby League Lions is by contacting atie Irwin at ugby eague shores of the New Zealand ‘All Golds’ in 1907 one that threads its way throughout the Cares via [email protected]

16  www.rugbyleaguecares.org Junior development grants

ugby League Cares continues to play an important role Hunslet arriors have purchased a ne in junior development at kit ith help from RL Cares R junior level with hundreds of youngsters getting their fi rst taste of the sport in 2016 through support from the charity In the last six months of the year, Rugby League Cares awarded £500 grants to 13 clubs to help them establish new Under-7s teams and has received applications from many more clubs looking to start training for Under-7s in 2017. A host of other clubs which had received development grants in the early part of 2016 went on to achieve some success later in the year, including Barrow Island whose Under-7s players gained a new lease of life. “Our Under-7s were playing small-sided games, mostly in the Under-8s league because there is no Under-7s league , but next year we will be attending, and hosting, more festivals The funding support from Rugby League Cares that will allow Under-7s to play against children their own age,” said Barrow Island’s has been invaluable in this activity and has led John Clegg. “The grant from Rugby League to us successfully completing twice-weekly ares has made a huge diff erence to our juniors.” training sessions for 15 enthusiastic Under-7s Hunslet Warriors have seen their Under-7s with the aim to run a competitive team in 2017 team grow from fi ve players to since they received their grant from Rugby League Cares and are approaching next season in buoyant mood. Hunslet Warriors secretary Steve Bisby said: “We have brought together a group of good, 3G training through the winter to help keep against other teams on a Sunday morning. The enthusiastic parents who have never been the team together and prepare them for the Lions youngsters played almost 30 games and involved with Rugby League before and we are season ahead - as well as have fun. have retained almost all their players for 2017. very excited with the progress the youngsters “We believe an indoor 3G solution (whilst In April, Warriors began a project are making. As secretary and a coach I love expensive) represents an opportunity for the interacting 10 local primary schools to deliver it when new young children arrive at the team to have fun, continue to build core skills in-school coaching for pupils aged fi ve to . club for the fi rst year it gives me a sense of whilst maintaining the ability to continue The club also ran Saturday morning taster achievement knowing we have a kit purchased full contact and build resilience,” said a club sessions for 10 weeks, prior to and after the with the help of Rugby League Cares for all of spokesman. school summer holidays, to give as many them to play in.” Lions Under-7s used their youngsters as possible the opportunity to Orrell St James from have played £500 grant to purchase a new strip to replace participate. 10 matches at Under-7 level since they were old kit which had shirts and shorts missing “The funding support from Rugby League awarded a grant by the charity and have and holes in the socks. The new kit helped the Cares has been invaluable in this activity and retained all 25 players for 2017. The club plans team grow to 21 registered players training has led to us successfully completing twice- to use some of their grant to fund indoor once a week and playing small-sided games weekly training sessions for 15 enthusiastic Under-7s with the aim to run a competitive team in 2017,” said Wibsey’s Alan Redmonds. The grants awarded in late 2016 were as follows: Aspull (Wigan) Golborne Parkside (Wigan) Headingley Hawks (Leeds) (Leigh) Newham Dockers (Essex) North Devon Raiders (Barnstaple) Stanningley (Leeds) Westhoughton (Bolton) Wibsey Warriors (Bradford) (Bradford) Under-7s have Marsh Hornets () had a season to remember Orrell St James (Wigan) Pioneers (Cumbria)

17  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017 RL Cares sees its stock soaring uper League stars past and present were on the money to raise £10,000 for Rugby S League Cares in a challenge with their counterparts from at the London HQ of currency trading company AFEX. The players were also given a unique insight into new career opportunities outside the game as they tried their hand at buying and selling foreign currency on the international markets. The players, who included Men of Steel Iestyn Harris and , Rugby Rugby League stars past and present helped League’s most-capped international Adrian raise 10,000 for Rugby League Cares Morley and current players Richard Whiting, and , worked alongside AFEX traders on deals worth hundreds of St Helens captain Jon Wilkin said: “It was are facing. I’ve got my degree in Regulated thousands of pounds each. fantastic to get a fl avour of a fast-paced Financial Services and I’m now doing my The London-based company have strong international business like currency trading. Masters, which will hopefully give me an edge links with both codes and have sponsored There are lots of transferable skills between when I hit the job market in a few years’ time. both St Helens and the in high level sport and business: as players we “I don’t want to get to that point and people recent years, as well as featuring among their are used to analysis, self-development and see me just as a rugby player: I’d rather they management Tony Rea, the former London people skills. Trading in currency is all about view me as a fi nancial adviser who knows what Broncos coach. building relationships with clients and as we he’s talking about. That will only come with Rugby League won the inaugural trading know, rugby equips you well to be able to get experience, which is why I do work in fi nancial day in 2015 but the union boys, who included on with all sorts of people.” services on my days off . It’s important to hit former Harlequins and England international The experience proved to be especially the ground running.” Ugo Monye and current Wasps player James insightful for Wilkin’s former team-mate Paul Chris Rostron, the Head of Rugby League Downey, snatched victory this year with the lough, the Huddersfi eld iants-bound Cares, said: “All the players who took part last trade of the day. second row who is at an advanced stage in his in the trading challenge had a terrifi c time As well as raising money for charity, the preparations for a new post-rugby career. and took away much from the experience, trading day provided another opportunity to “RL Cares provided me with a grant that will especially people like Paul who had expressed raise awareness of the work RL Cares is doing enable me to look after myself and my family an interest in working in fi nancial services. to help players prepare for life after rugby. The once my playing days are over,” said Clough. Rugby League players are by their very nature charity awards grants every year to players to “The grant removed a lot of the risk from the fi ercely competitive, as we saw from the subsidise the cost of training and education move into higher education. I’ve contributed way they embraced the cut and thrust of the programmes that will open up new career to the course fees myself but it’s nowhere trading environment, and it was good to see avenues once they retire. near the £9,000 a year that many students them make the most of a valuable hands-on experience. “Like all athletes, Rugby League players have short careers and there is a growing awareness among them of the need to examine new career options before they retire. However, the transition process is not always easy and that’s where RL Cares comes in. Our partnership with AFEX is critical to our important work to help players prepare for life after rugby and we are hugely grateful for their support.”

Ugo Monye and Paul Sculthorpe MBE captained the cross-code currency Paul Clough and Danny illiams trading challenge at AFE cut some important deals

18  www.rugbyleaguecares.org Gary and his wife Gemma recently visited the RL Cares o ce at Red Hall to thank sta

Gary spent months in hospital after being attacked in London What does Rugby League Cares do? Gary Carter, the Rugby League correspondent Money raised through RL Cares has helped for The Sun, outlines the role Rugby League fund vital modi cations to Gary’s home, including installing a Cares has played in his life since he was wetroom and handrails brutally assaulted a year ago...

reviously, there was one and there are still a few to get over. erve that goes on behind the scenes. eeing staff question that I never even bruising in my arms and a shoulder problem and volunteers sat around a table folding tens attempted to answer: What still have not completely gone away and of thousands of ra e tickets stubs - taking P does Rugby League Cares these are things you cannot encourage or time out of their day - was a heart-warming do? Simply put, I didn’t have bring on. experience. nd like many things, the people a clue. Well, I do now. either is the spirit in someone’s heart and, paying for tickets probably thought it was In November 2015, I was attacked while in when I think about it, ugby eague ares’ nothing, the people folding those tickets London to cover the England v New Zealand help has been vital in keeping that spirit alive. probably thought it was nothing but it all international fi xture at the lympic tadium. The fund set up to help me has been able to adds up to something. Take it from someone ne of the last things I did was send a pay for a ramp and grabrails to be installed at who has felt the benefi t of all those nothings report on am urgess’s return to ugby my home, so I can get in. It also helped turn adding up to something - it really does help. eague and outh ydney. The most what was a common bathroom, with shower ll the cards and messages from ugby important news in the game. r so I thought. over a bath, into a wet room so I can at least eague fans were a pillar of support during ince then, the main story has been the have a shower and clean myself. It will also go my time in hospital and to the fans of ugby eague community’s kindness and towards the next stage rehab at the I diff erent clubs who probably thought they support as I fi ght back from some fairly centre in alford, which specialises in therapy were doing nothing by coming up and saying severe inuries and illness. ot that I knew for people with brain or spinal inuries. hello to me - well, it was a lot more than it at the time because I was in a coma, but tanding on a treadmill in front of cinema nothing and you put a smile on my face. I suff ered a cardiac arrest and respiratory screens, while hooked up to sensors so o, thank you to everyone at ugby eague failure while in hospital. brain inury after someone can monitor your muscle use, may ares for everything they have done and will smashing your head on a kerbstone is a sound very fancy. ut like anything, these continue to do for other people in the future. massive thing. Put simply, it was like starting things cost and without ugby eague ares’ hat may seem like nothing at the time - all over again - at the age of . help, this would not even be a possibility. paying for a ra e ticket - really does add up uscle wastage, six and a half stone of it, ow, though, it is and that possibility will to something that can make such a diff erence meant I have had to build up my body. hich become a reality soon as I go on the next to someone’s life. was weird because I felt okay in the hospital stage of my recovery. ow if anyone asks in future hat does bed. Having to learn how to walk and live I recently spent an afternoon with the staff ugby eague ares do’ there is your again have been huge obstacles to overcome at ares which highlighted to me the work answer.

19  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017 Dowes fi nds feet after RL Cares grant Natasha Prout meets former Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC and England prop Ewan Dowes and hears how retirement has given him a new lease of life...

t’s the inevitable part of every “It was a tough decision to make but it commodity for his employer. The skills he’d career that incites a certain allowed me to get my feet back on the ground taken from his rugby playing days provided a level of concern for all Rugby and gave me time to explore. I got a job in sales solid foundation from which he could advance I League players: retirement, and insurance which got me into a position his career, which is a trait Ewan thinks more and what comes next. where I could move my family into our own players should take advantage of. For some, the thought of venturing into a house in the area whilst I fi nished my part-time ports people may not be the most ualifi ed post-Rugby League world is daunting and a contract with , then later in the world, but as a shell they’re people who bridge best avoided until the time comes to that allowed us to move back to eeds, he can be trained and moulded into a fantastic cross it. explained. employee, he said. That was the case for Ewan Dowes, whose For Ewan, however, the line of work he was For Ewan, success after rugby has come hugely successful 13-year career came to an going down didn’t off er enough progression, from fi nding a career he genuinely enoys, end in 2014, three years after he completed and after a short period of time he began which is a tip he’d give to those nearing the end his almost decade-long stint in the black and looking for other things. of their rugby journey. white of Hull FC. Two years on, Ewan is now With a little luck, and even better timing, “With St James’s Place, it was something I enoying success in the fi nancial world but he he soon found the opportunity he was hoping was really interested in and enjoyed so I found admits that his transition has not been without for. “I sat down with a partner of St James’s the learning part easy, he said. I took an its challenges. Place Wealth Management, to speak about active interest in it and I knew at the end of the “I actually had a plan for my post-rugby my mortgage really, he said. He ended up programme I’d be in a really strong position to career that I thought would work out fi ne, he telling me about their academy for non- do this as a profession. recalls. “I started a Sports Science degree at industry professionals and what’s off ered there. I think players should explore diff erent Manchester Metropolitan University in 2008 It ust seemed like a great fi t. It’s a two-year professions and industries whilst they’re still and completed my fi rst year with no problems. programme and you get your ualifi cations in the sport so they can get a feel of the road Halfway through his second year, however, six or seven months in. After that, you’re ready they want to go down. It seems like a lot of obstacles began to appear. With no contract to do business with all the necessary support former players rush themselves into something renewal from Hull FC, Ewan very suddenly off ered to you. they don’t want to be doing long term; they’re went from earning a steady wage to nothing at Prior to becoming a partner with St James’s, ust doing it as a necessity to pay off the bills. all, and was unable to aff ord the remainder of Ewan was able to gain the necessary entry- If they start planning throughout their career his tuition fees. level ualifi cations with the help of ugby and fi nd something they’re passionate about, “I know for a fact that things have now League Cares. it makes that transition a lot smoother. moved on, but there was nothing in terms of “The charity funded the initial costs of the Ewan does, however, express his own support at the time, he said. I got a letter ualifi cations with a grant. It was a massive regrets towards not reassessing his career from the club essentially thanking me for my help, because I wasn’t really in a position to options sooner once his initial plans to services and wishing me luck for the future, but fork out that kind of money, he said. The complete a degree fell through. I was very much left to fend for myself. It was grant allowed me to worry less about putting “I ask myself when I would’ve started, up to me to make things happen. food on the table for my family and gave me and with hindsight it would have been a lot With no clear direction ahead, Ewan and his a chance to focus as much as I could on the sooner, he said. I think in your early-2s, wife Amy moved to Australia where he played future. My number one priority at the time was when you get your fi rst full-time deal, is a season of lower-tier rugby for the Illawarra getting ualifi ed as uickly as possible, and the the time to start planning seriously. You’re Cutters and Thirroul Butchers. Financial and help from RL Cares meant I could do that with getting all this money, and a lot of the time not employment worries meant the family would minimal fuss. thinking about what you need to put it towards have to move back home after just a year, fter successfully gaining the ualifi cations and when it might be best saved until. though, despite enjoying their new life ‘Down he needed, Ewan quickly settled into the Looking to the future, Ewan hopes to utilise Under’. business mindset and found that his rugby his new career to help young up-and-coming “It delayed the inevitable really, but I wouldn’t life proved more helpful than he might have players avoid the situation he found himself in. change it. The standard of rugby’s really high; thought. “I’m planning on working with the it was uite refreshing, added wan. hen I There’s defi nitely a lot of transferable skills scholarship-aged kids in Academies. I want to got back from Australia, I had to start thinking from sport to business; I see that when I speak educate them on their fi nances and fi nancial about my next move pretty uickly. to players now, he states. bviously I was planning, just to get them into good habits On his return to England, Ewan’s son was very driven when I played and I always wanted and disciplines in preparation for when they’re barely two-weeks-old, meaning his priorities to be the best I could be, which is what I’m earning, he said. took a drastic change. The family moved back doing now with my business. It’s all about “It’s never something I thought about during into Ewan’s parents’ home in Cumbria, as improving and moving up. my 15-year career in rugby, but I love being fi nances came under strain and focus shifted to That drive, alongside his self-motivation able to help like this. It’s something I can see providing for his new family. and unrivalled resilience, made him a valuable myself doing for the rest of my working life.

20  www.rugbyleaguecares.org Ewan Dowes is now enjoying success in the fi nancial world after help from a RL Cares grant (and inset during his playing career for Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos and England)

I was very driven when I played and I always wanted to be the best I could be, which is what I’m doing now with my business. It’s all about improving and moving up

21  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

VIKINGS SCOOP FOUNDATION AWARD

idnes Vikings were named Super League Foundation of the Year at the Steve W Prescott Man of Steel dinner in October, an award which recognises the high quality and sheer volume of work undertaken by the club’s dedicated community team. The Vikings Sports Foundation is delivering 31 projects across Halton, South Liverpool and the Cheshire region and has enriched the lives of thousands of people through the power of sport over the last 12 months. ith eight full-time members of staff , supported by volunteers, the foundation has established a proven track record in making a positive diff erence in its local community, as have many other foundations at Super League and Championship clubs. For Richard Munson, the Vikings’ Community Integrated Director, the award is acknowledgement of the dedication of his own team and that of everyone at a club which holds a special place at the heart of its community. Itreally is an achievement to get this recognition as there is some brilliant work going on in Rugby League foundations right across the country. I would like to thank the RFL and Rugby League Cares for their support,” said Munson. “I am consciously aware of the support our community workreceivesfrom all departments within the club and feel that idnes ikings Community Integrated Director this is a ‘whole club’ award as everyone has Richard Munson receives the Foundation of the supported our vision in diff erent ways. Year aard at the 201 Man of Steel dinner

There is some fantastic, innovative work taking place, not just by the Vikings Sports Foundation but by club foundations at many Rugby League clubs. The foundations’ relationship with Rugby League Cares is massively important because it allows us to do what we do so well

22  www.rugbyleaguecares.org idnes rst-team player Jack Buchanan A great example of our ‘One Club’ culture and -year-old dementia su erer is the way our coaches and players engage Fred Allen met as part of the ikings in our programmes and I would like foundation and CIC partnership VIKINGS SCOOP tothankin particular enis etts who has supported our work,from providing us with access to the players through to actually presenting to partners on our behalf.” The relationship between Rugby FOUNDATION AWARD League Cares and the club foundations is becoming increasingly important in the delivery of cultural, health and welfare projects. The special status they have within their own communities, together with the unique local knowledge they possess, make club foundations the perfect vehicle WHEN JACK for third party agencies to use as a means of addressing social issues and reaching MET FRED... isolated sections of society. “In a town like Widnes the work we do The innovative way in which Widnes Vikings are engaging is really important,” explained Munson. with their local community is no better highlighted than in the “The club is the focal point of the local successful partnership with a national charity that delivers life- community, whether that be the stadium enhancing support to people with special needs. and its facilities or the players. Sport is a Working with Community Integrated Care (CIC), the Vikings great way to inspire people: it can change Foundation have delivered projects promoting the health, happiness, lives in a positive and lasting way. We take wellbeing and inclusion of people with learning disabilities, mental that inspiration and deliver it in a positive health concerns, autism and dementia. way through a range of projects using our “We have supported thousands of people for three decades, understanding of how as a club we can enabling them to lead full and happy lives, but throughout our history best support local people. we have never had a partner as ambitious and committed as the “Like a lot of towns, Widnes has issues Vikings Sports Foundation,” said CIC spokesman John Hughes. with educational attainment and social “They have delivered life-changing support to our charity and the inequality. Tackling those issues is rarely people we care for, and are a credit to their community and their easy but by working with statutory partners sport. Week in, week out, this partnership delivers brilliant things. For we are able to deliver projects that enable two hours a week, people we support are enabled by the club to fi nd and empower local people.” the joy of participating in sport. The foundation overcomes any barrier Those projects include the club’s that their disability or condition may create, to make the sessions innovative work with people suff ering from accessible to all. dementia to inspiring young people to live “The Vikings visit our dementia care homes weekly for activity and healthy and active lives by playing sport, reminiscence sessions, and are engaging club legends and fans in and harnessing the infl uence of senior also supporting the homes. There are few things more powerful than players to encourage boys to read more seeing the joy of a fan who hasn’t been able to play rugby for decades and gain improved literacy. enjoy passing a ball with someone wearing the famous Vikings kit, The Widnes, Warrington Wolves and or people suddenly spark memories of cheering on their heroes at foundations are all Naughton Park. working on successful ig ottery proects “Our Chemics Café sees us reach out to people with dementia helped by Government funding secured and their loved ones each month. We give people who live with by Rugby League Cares and provided by dementia in care homes and in the community a special day - meeting Curious Minds, a bridge organisation which their rugby heroes, enoying adapted exercise sessions and fi nding strives to improve the lives of children important advice on living well with dementia. ur staff - often people and young people through great art and with stressful and intensive roles - have enoyed getting fi t and having culture. fun with weekly sports sessions with the club.” “Curious Minds provide expertise around The foundation has made a massive diff erence to the lives of many arts awards and dance programmes but people, young and old alike, including 86-year-old Fred Allen, a the work is driven by the club foundations resident at the St Luke’s specialist dementia care and nursing home. who determine how best to engage with Mr Allen has supported the Vikings for 80 years but as his dementia local people,” said Munson. developed, he lost touch with the club he loves until the intervention “There is some fantastic, innovative of the Vikings Sports Foundation. Every week Mr Allen meets the work taking place, not just by the Vikings community coaches and legends at his home, for activity Vikings Sports Foundation but by club and reminiscence sessions. He is also a regular visitor to the Chemics foundations at many Rugby League Café, where he has struck up a special friendship with Widnes clubs. The foundations’ relationship fi rst-team player ack uchanan. hen r llen watched the team with Rugby League Cares is massively beat atalans ragons last season - his fi rst live game in years - ack important because it allows us to do recognised him and sprinted from the pitch to celebrate with him,

what we do so well.” creating special new memories for both men. CASEFILE

23  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017 RL CARES AWARDS idnes player Gil Dudson has been a regular visitor to the St Lukes Care Home ith the ikings Sports Foundation

he important role Rugby EDUCATION PROJECT HEALTH PROJECT League clubs play in OF 2016: OF 2016: their communities is T immeasurable. For many towns and cities, our clubs continue to provide a focal point for local pride and passion in many walks of life, not just through the performances of their sporting heroes on the fi eld of play At every professional club, charitable HULL KR COMMUNITY TRUST VIKINGS SPORTS FOUNDATION foundations work alongside their colleagues have been working with idnes ikings’ proect with national health in rugby and coaching departments to deliver Tweendykes Special School since 2007 when and social care charity ‘Community Integrated signifi cant benefi ts to their communities. the club’s coaches began delivering after- Care’ (CIC) utilises every facet that sets Rugby And as the umbrella charity for the school activities to pupils aged between three eague apart from other sports extensive benevolent work that takes place throughout and who have severe learning diffi culties player engagement and the club’s and sport’s the game, Rugby League Cares works closely and physical disabilities. heritage, set within quality initiatives that have with club foundations, channelling funding Over the last nine years the Rovers people at their heart. and expertise to allow them to deliver high Community Trust has worked with over 300 CIC specialise in supporting adults with a uality services at a local level. youngsters and developed strong links with range of needs, including learning disabilities, lub foundations focus on fi ve key areas Tweendykes, which in 2011 relocated to a autism, mental health and dementia. The of activity - education, health, sport, heritage building within inifred Holtby econdary foundation’s partnership with the charity and social inclusion. chool. involves a weekly programme of activities for The volume and breadth of work they do For the past four years the Trust has their service users, families and own staff . is incredible, and much of it goes largely delivered weekly physical education lessons unsung, if not unrecognised by the wider focusing on skills and small-sided games from These include: game. hich is where the ugby eague numerous sports, including rugby, football, * Two 45-minute inclusive sport and ares wards come in. and rounders. physical activity sessions delivered from The Rugby League Cares awards The impact of these games has been the stadium each week for adults with celebrate the work of the club foundations remarkable pupils have experienced improved learning disabilities based within CIC’s and acknowledge the positive and often coordination, confi dence and been able to two care homes and supported living life-changing impact they have on tens of work as a team. accommodation; thousands of people. A major part of the sessions has been to get * Delivery of a 45-minute reminiscence This year’s awards were made at a pupils active - people with physical disabilities session at two care homes in the town; ceremony in Manchester in November when often do little exercise and tire easily but all the elivery of a one-hour fi tness and touch representatives from across the game came youngsters involved have seen their stamina rugby session for I staff at the stadium together for a special night of celebration. and fi tness improve. * Delivery of a monthly ‘Chemics Cafe’ wards were presented in fi ve categories The Hull KR Community Trust has also dementia reminiscence event for people Education Project of the Year, Health Project delivered a vocational education programme with dementia involving ex-players, stadium of the Year, Sport Project of the Year, Heritage to pupils aged between and . The tours, and low level physical activity. Proect of the ear and est ascot 2. o programme supports the pupils’ school specifi c award is off ered for social inclusion studies and increases employment options HIGHLY COMMENDED: as this overlaps with most activities. post-school by helping learners with CVs, job Foundation for their application forms and health and safety at ‘Fit Schools Programme’ involving work procedures . 2, children and arrington olves The foundation has also delivered road Foundation for their ‘Fit to Tackle’ safety courses at Tweendykes, making a programme which has seen 250 people huge diff erence to the lives of some of the shed a combined total of 300 stones in community’s most vulnerable young people. weight since 2.

Pupils from Teendykes School have been HIGHLY COMMENDED: regular visitors to Salford Red Devils Foundation and Leigh Hull Rs stadium Community Trust for the positive impact they have made on the lives of young people.

24  www.rugbyleaguecares.org Golden oldies - Geo Gunney, Alf Ginger Burnell Memories club Ray Abbey, Steve Lee, Barry Lee and the late Frank atson enoyed each others and Denis Hartley revisit their past ith Hunslet company at the Hunslet Memories Club

SPORT PROJECT HERITAGE PROJECT MASCOT OF 2016: OF 2016: OF 2016:

HULL KR COMMUNITY TRUST HUNSLET COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Hull KR were approached in May by Humber Hunslet Community Foundation won this The Mascot of the Year was decided by and olds Prison to coach some of their staff award for their Hunslet Memories Club an online public vote run by Rugby AM and inmates. fter extensive risk assessments programme. and was won by Junior Tiger, aka ‘JT’, who and safeguarding evaluations, the Community The club is a dementia-friendly meeting secured almost per cent of votes. Trust agreed to deliver the project which has which takes place once a month in a local gone on to achieve remarkable success. listed pub, which has two Hunslet RLFC The prisoners involved were in a transition Heritage rooms, off ering a safe environment phase on the build up to being released and for ex-players, offi cials and fans of the club took part in a series of workshops to support to meet, have a drink, a free lunch and talk their rehabilitation. about anything they like. Four coaches supported the two-week Members of the group bring memorabilia programme and delivered coaching in Rugby and old photographs to stir memories and eague, physical fi tness and nutrition. ome bring out calls of “Do you remember when…” of the inmates had previously played at Former players and Rugby League community level and were former team-mates personalities make regular appearances at of a couple of the coaches, which went a long the club, which has proved to be an uplifting way to breaking down barriers and building experience for many people who had been up trust. suff ering social isolation. The Trust worked with 30 prisoners and a The popularity of the Memories Club has number of staff , delivering rugby skills training, led to an expanding heritage programme healthy nutrition advice and muscle work. the creation of a breakfast club once a Everyone who took part was fully engaged and month which provides another social hub, the feedback was outstanding. a Hall of Fame and the development of an The project also proved to be a great oral histories record in partnership with development opportunity for the Trust’s South Leeds Academy to create an inter- coaches, who learned much from working generational bridge between the past and in an environment that was very much out the present day. of their comfort one. ne of the coaches commented that it had completely changed HIGHLY COMMENDED: his views and perceptions about prisoners in a for an arts project which positive and non-udgmental way. inspired children to learn about the heritage JT of Castleford Tigers of Bradford Northern and the experiences as aarded the Mascot of 201 accolade HIGHLY COMMENDED: of the radford suad in the irst orld ar. arrington olves oundation for the huge numbers of people they engage with, Rochdale Hornets Foundation for their wheelchair rugby project, and akefi eld Trinity for their outstanding ky Try programme.

25  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017 Pictures by Matthew Merrick

Castleford legends Malcolm Reilly MBE and Dennis Hartley share a favourite memory at the reunion lunch

MC John endre and Colin Maskill encourage the Castleford past players to sign Castleford past players Barry Johnson, up as RL Cares members Colin Maskill and Alan Hardisty ith a cheue for 00 for RL Cares

Castleford Tigers Past Players Association get behind RL Cares

he important work Rugby The Castleford Past Players luncheon is a afternoon, said arry. e’re a not-for-profi t League Cares does in hugely successful event which this year was organisation which is always looking to put support of the sport’s attended by over 250 people, including 80 ex- something back into the game. Last year we T former heroes has gained players who have made huge contributions to helped Castleford player Lee Jewitt when important recognition from the history of the Wheldon Road club. his twin sons were born prematurely by one of the game’s most active past players Barry Johnson, the former prop who was a donating to the hospitals which took care of associations. member of the Castleford side that defeated the babies. Following their recent reunion luncheon, Hull KR in the 1986 Challenge Cup Final at “We have an active committee and when the Castleford Tigers Past Players Association Wembley, said the association was delighted someone suggested we raise money for signed up 80 of its members to RL Cares, to give its support to RL Cares. RL Cares this year everyone immediately providing the charity with a valuable fi nancial ur luncheon is a terrifi c reunion event agreed. A lot of our players are Castleford boost, as well as a ringing endorsement of its which brings together lots of players born and bred and the club still plays a work. from diff erent eras for a memorable massive role in its community. Rugby League Cares is all about community and the Rugby League family so it was the perfect recipient of the proceeds from the lunch. “So much of what RL Cares does goes straight to the heart of what we’re about: we know that a lot of current players have So much of what RL Cares does goes straight signed up as members of the charity and to the heart of what we’re about: we know we wanted to be the fi rst past players association to do the same. We weren’t just that a lot of current players have signed up as donating money to a very good cause, by members of the charity and we wanted to be the signing up our members we’re giving them all the benefi ts that come from being part of fi rst past players association to do the same a great organisation like RL Cares. I would urge all other past players associations to do the same: they have so much to gain from helping RL Cares in any way they can.”

26  www.rugbyleaguecares.org Hall of Famers celebrated in style

he careers, lives and igan we were sent-off for fi ghting in the personalities of two of hampionship semi-fi nal. They named the greatest exponents of him at No.6 to mark me and I knew what it T the greatest game were felt like to be a marked man! We had a right celebrated this summer when old scrap before Eric Clay pointed us to the Rugby League Cares hosted a dinner in dressing room. He was the best winger I ever memory of MBE and Mick played against.” Sullivan. Sullivan’s record in representative rugby was Roger and Mick were members of the exceptional: in 102 games for Great Britain, Roger Millard MBE Rugby League Hall of Fame who sadly passed England and he scored 120 tries and away within a few weeks of each other in the twice commanded world-record transfer fees spring: Hull KR legend Millward died in May when he went from Huddersfi eld to igan in aged 68, while the game said goodbye to 1957 for £9,500 and then Wigan to St Helens Sullivan, Great Britain’s most capped player, in for £11,000 four years later. April. He was 82. was a team-mate of Sullivan at Organised by Rugby League Cares through Wigan between 1957 and 1961, when the two its commitment to championing the game’s also made for a formidable wing pairing with heritage, the dinner was a huge success and Great Britain. provided an opportunity to acknowledge the “Sully was a great winger, one of the best important contribution to Rugby League made and someone you always wanted on your by two men who commanded respect and team,” said Billy. “When he wasn’t on your admiration on both sides of the world. team you had to watch him, though. He was The dinner at the Willerby Manor Hotel near good at coming in from the side and hurting Hull was attended by the Sullivan and Millward you if you weren’t on your guard. families, current and former Hull KR players, “We had a few battles down the years when their adult lives after fi rst playing together as special guests and fi ve of their fellow Hall of he was at Huddersfi eld and later when he schoolboys for the Castleford district. Fame members: Lewis Jones, Malcolm Reilly moved to St Helens. I really got to know him “I don’t remember much about the game OBE, Billy Boston MBE, Alex Murphy OBE and when we were at Wigan; he was a lovely man but I do recall that I played at No 6 and Roger arry chofi eld . and great person to be around. was at No 7. You just knew he was special even “Roger and Mick were exceptional players “I went on a couple of tours with him and then,” said Reilly. who would have graced the game in any era,” the Aussies loved him and hated him in equal “Roger is in my top three of best players of said Alec Murphy. “Roger’s football brain was measure. They were great days back then, all time, and I can’t separate any of them. He’s second to none; he also possessed incredible we won the Ashes on a regular basis and we as good a player as I’ve ever seen. ff ensively courage in defence and could read the game did so because we had players like Mick in there was no-one better and in defence he had from the middle of the park like no other. our ranks.” the heart of a lion, sometimes at the expense “I played alongside Mick at St Helens Malcolm Reilly and Millward were members of his own welfare. I feel privileged to have and he was a lovely man off the fi eld on of the last Great Britain team to win the Ashes played alongside him and proud of the fact it, he was something else. When he was at in 1970 and were good friends throughout that Roger Millward was my friend.”

Hall of Famers Alec Murphy, Billy Boston, Leis Jones, Malcolm Reilly and Garry Scho eld Rogers ife Carol, their family and friends ere among helped celebrate the lives of Roger and Sully the guests at the Roger and Sully celebration dinner

‘Roger and Sully’ Commemorative Brochure Rugby League Cares have produced a commemorative 36-page brochure celebrating the careers of RL Hall of Fame members Roger Millward MBE and Mick Sullivan. The brochure features interviews with former team-mates and friends, as well as Roger’s wife Carol and Mick’s daughter Michelle who give moving insights into the lives of the two men. If you would like a copy of this special souvenir brochure please send a cheque for £3 (to cover postage costs) or attach three pound coins to a piece of paper containing your name and address and send to Roger and ully brochure off er, co atie Irwin, ugby eague ares, ed Hall, ed Hall ane, eeds 8.

27  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

e is not, by his own admission, the most famous Rugby League player from H Leeds. Nor even the most RUGBY recognisable member of the amateur team he played for in the early- 1980s. However, no player at Shaw Lane, the forerunners of the current Guiseley Rangers club, has endured as traumatic a life-changing event from playing Rugby LEAGUE’S League than Nigel Long. igel has been in a wheelchair since suff ering a serious spinal inury playing in a local league game in 8 and was one of the sport’s lost victims’ until the enevolent und became aware of his inury almost two HELPING years ago. ince then, the enevolent und has attempted to make up for lost time by funding modifi cations to igel’s home in enston and off ering support to a man who bears HAND no resentment towards the circumstances surrounding his inury. I’d been playing for haw ane for ust a “I heard Jeanesy shout over to me as I lay season and a half and was loving my rugby, there ‘Come on Longy, you’ve got to get in it was a great release on a weekend after harder than that!’ I would have smiled had it spending the week digging gas mains for not hurt so much,” Nigel recalled. ritish as, said igel. I was taken to eeds eneral Infi rmary I don’t remember much about the game and from there to Pinderfi elds Hospital in but I remember uite clearly what happened akefi eld. That was some ourney - miles it was ust a straight one-on-one tackle and at fi ve miles an hour in an ambulance with the other bloke’s knee caught me under the two police motorcycle outriders. It’s a shame chin, knocking my head backwards. The pain the police weren’t paying more attention was terrible and I knew straight away that I’d because somewhere between I and broken my back. I had no feeling below my Pinderfi elds my boots disappeared. I never shoulders and I told them not to move me.” got them back. They were a good pair of ne of igel’s team-mates that day was boots as well avid eanes, the former akefi eld Trinity, igel was ust 2 when doctors diagnosed eeds and reat ritain player who was a broken neck between the fi fth and sixth playing socially at the end of a successful cervical vertebrae. The trauma has left him Nigel does oil paintings since his accident professional career. confi ned to a wheelchair and with limited

28  www.rugbyleaguecares.org The RFL Benevolent Fund The RFL Benevolent Fund was set see my kids grow up’ e are there up to provide assistance to players to support them and to be there for ho hae su ered life-changing their families, who are the ones who injuries and is held in high regard need to both give and receive support throughout the game. in their hour of need.” oung men like att ing , ike all charities, the Pete tephenson and immy ittins, enevolent und is heavily reliant who all suff ered maor spinal trauma on the fundraising activities of while playing the game they love, individuals and organisations and is are high profi le examples of players hugely appreciative of the selfl ess who have been supported by the work that takes place. charity. The initiative set up to raise The real heroes of ugby eague funds for the wife and children of are not the players who score match- former eighley ougars player winning tries at embley, they’re the anny ones, and the support given men and women who stand out in to the family of Huddersfi eld iants the rain doing bucket collections and youngster onan ostello, have taking part in sponsored challenges elevated the work of the enevolent because they’re empathetic with und and raised awareness of the the people the enevolent und work it does. helps, said all. Yet for every story that makes Perhaps the highest profi le case headlines, the enevolent und we’ve had in the last couple of years uietly goes about its business has been the tragedy surrounding the making a diff erence to the lives of death of anny ones the response hundreds of members of the ugby from the ugby eague family eague family who are caught up in towards a young mother of twin sporting catastrophe. babies was incredible, but not at all teve all, the enevolent surprising. und eneral anager, explained I feel very privileged to be invited “When tragedy strikes it’s always a into the homes of people like iie terrible time for the player who has ones and the many people we help, been hurt but it’s also a diffi cult time because in and amongst their grief for their families as well. and suff ering is invariably a desire to ften it’s the case that an inured put something back into the game. player is more concerned by his The strength of the game isn’t family and how they are coping and sponsorship deals, gate receipts being supported. edical experts or T contracts our strength is are always on hand to try and put an measured in the honesty and integrity inured player back together and we that go to the very heart of our values. movement in both arms. He also lacks fi ne try to be there for their families. We are grateful for every donation we motor coordination in his hands, especially e have 2 people who are on receive, no matter how big or small. his right hand. our register full time and a further ack in 8 the club raised about people with serious inuries come to , to help me, which was a lot of us each year for help after suff ering If you would like to help the money back then, but it’s not been easy at a life-changing inury. They’re in real RFL Benevolent Fund please times,” said Nigel, a father of two who now crisis and wondering ‘Am I going to contact Steve Ball via steve.ball@ lives in an apartment on the site of the old walk again’ or ill I be around to r beneolentfundcouk enston hospital, where commentator ddie aring spent his last days. The enevolent und wasn’t around at the time of my accident and they were only alerted to my case last year by avid layton at uiseley angers, and since then I wish I’d gone to university as a young man, has installed a new level fl oor which has they’ve been brilliant. The enevolent und though, I would have loved to have studied transformed it. They’ve also installed a new have gone out of their way to help me. medicine. shower room for me and put in a new heating ike many people with limited mobility, ince the accident I’ve taken up oil system to replace the faulty, ineffi cient old Nigel struggles to deal with cold weather painting and though I’m right handed, I have system which was costing a fortune to run. and his trips to watch uiseley angers are to use my left hand to work the brushes, They’ve done a fantastic ob, it’s a wonderful rare nowadays, although he does follow although my arm isn’t strong enough to do charity and I can’t praise them highly enough. eeds hinos closely on T. fi ne detail. I love it, it’s very rewarding and I’ll He has gained a irst lass honours paint anything, but landscapes and nature are To make a donation to the RFL Benevolent degree in psychology and psychobiology my favourites. I’d like to paint nudes wedish und please isit ustgiingcomr uk with the pen niversity, explaining The blondes preferably, but that’s a diff erent story psychobiology would have been really useful The room I do my paintings in was cold For more details on the charity’s work when I was hod carrying and digging holes! and draughty and the enevolent und please isit r beneolentfundcouk

29  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE MUSEUM SET FOR 2020 OPENING RL Cares Heritage Manager Brigid Poer puts the nishing touches to the Challenge world class facility telling the Here are a few ways in Cup trophy at the o cial launch of the story of a world class sport is National Rugby League Museum on course to be open in 2020 which people can help: A when the National Rugby League Museum will open COLLECTIONS within the historic . Museums have moved on in the last 20 years The museum project was launched earlier and whereas a traditional sports museum this year and will be Rugby League Cares’ main might tell the story of its sport by the shirts heritage project as the charity looks to deliver and caps of its famous players, we think that is a scheme that will be a source of pride for too limiting. f course, traditional memorabilia everyone involved in the sport. has a part to play, but we think our collections There is still a lot of work to be done before need to be broader than that. We want to Bradford Council Chief the museum opens its doors for the fi rst time, see the social history of the game come to Eecutive ersten England and RL Cares trustee Prof Tony including putting the fi nishing touches to the life who are ugby eague’s communities, Collins at the museum launch funding model, developing the interior design its fans, its players If you could donate one and themes, and, very importantly, consulting object or item to the museum that you believe with Rugby League Cares members and the would highlight your life and story with Rugby sport’s supporters. eague, what would it be ollections are, of course, about more than ust obects - they are photos, videos, oral recollections. We plan to collect as much as this over the next few years as possible. Brigid Power said: “Our archives feature a rich collection of items and memorabilia from the last 120 years but there is so much more out there that we don’t know about, or have forgotten about, which needs to be seen. development of the game abroad, from winter “The National Rugby League Museum will to summer and the Super League era - all these be the perfect place for everyone to share important points in the history of the game their memories of the sport and celebrate the need to be represented when we are telling heroes and moments that mean so much to this story and bringing it to life. What else An artist’s impression of how the them. Over the years many important items should go in here hat stories would you like National RL Museum might look have found their way into private collections to see told because there was simply nowhere else for them to go: the museum will provide a focal HAVE A GO! Rugby League Cares Heritage Manager point for our history and it would be terrifi c to How do you play ugby eague How do Brigid Power explained: “We are in the early know what has survived.” we let people have a go at the game To stages of planning and mapping out what RL Cares is not just looking for ‘precious’ experience the technicality and the physicality we want the museum to be and what it objects such as trophies and medals; many of a sport such as ours In the ational should deliver. It is vital that we understand fans will have their own special souvenirs such ootball useum, you can try out penalties, what people want to see and do at a sports as cine movie footage, promotional posters, saving and tactics - what would be your museum like this. Our members are often ticket stubs from pre-ar matches, early suggestions for ugby eague fl ung far across the country and beyond and team-sheets, cigarette cards, community song we are especially keen to hear what they sheets from maor fi nals and commemorative EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES think. brochures. Museums are often a cultural hive of activity; e want to make this a museum, not ust from craft activities for the under-s to fi lm for existing ugby eague fans, but for those GALLERIES screenings and formal dinners. What would who know nothing about the game or its We believe that Rugby League has a very you like to see go on at the museum history. Rugby League has a fantastic story to special story to tell. From the pre-1895 days tell and in telling it we know we will attract when players playing rugby’ were being fi ned OUTREACH new people to the game and make them love for taking payments, through to the infamous ased in radford, we recognise that we the sport as much as we do.” split at the eorge Hotel in Huddersfi eld, the are not on everyone’s doorstep. How would

30  www.rugbyleaguecares.org The National RL Museum ill be housed ithin the Grade 1-listed Bradford City Hall

Iconic minute book search A nationwide appeal has been launched to trace the whereabouts of one of the most signifi cant documents in the history of both codes of rugby To mark the announcement that the fi rst-eer ational Rugby League Museum is to open in 2020, Rugby League Cares is asking for the public’s help in locating the minute book that recorded the details of the meeting that led to rugby’s great split. you like to engage with the museum at n ugust 2, 8, rugby union clubs from across the orth of ngland met a distance How can we make sure the for crisis talks about the RFU’s refusal to accede to requests to compensate museum works for everyone, all year players who had to take time off work to play rugby on a weekend. round Touring exhibitions are one idea, There was no overriding desire to professionalise rugby by following a signifi cant online presence for the football’s lead a few years earlier, merely a desire to make broken time’ museum is another. Perhaps we could payments to men whose pay was docked by factory, mill and mine owners take our collections out to diff erent when they fi nished work early on aturdays to oin their team-mates. t the communities end of the meeting, 2 clubs announced their intention to break away from inally, what would make it a good day the and form the orthern nion, which would eventually evolve into the out hat makes a museum great sport of Rugby League and the RFL. “Part of the development work taking The minute book from that meeting mysteriously disappeared from the RFL’s place is visiting other museums and old headquarters in Leeds 50 years ago and Rugby League Cares is hoping taking the best of what they have done, someone will come forward with information as to its whereabouts. added Power. “If anyone has been Professor Tony ollins, a trustee of ugby eague ares and the world’s impressed by a museum recently, or want foremost authority on the history of rugby, said The minute book for the years to tell us about other sports museums 1895 to 1899 went missing from the old RFL headquarters on Chapeltown that they have enoyed, or otherwise, oad, eeds in the early s and has not been seen since. The secretary please tell us. at the time, ill allowfi eld, did put out a public appeal for it in but it et us know your thoughts This is a wasn’t found. t that time, the history of sport and ugby eague’s heritage museum for all of us and as many ideas as didn’t have the importance it has today, and the matter wasn’t pursued. It’s a we get, the better it will be. great tragedy, not simply because we don’t have the founding document of If you would like to share your thoughts the game, but also because it is a key document of ritish sports history. o if on the National Rugby League Museum anyone out there knows where it might be, please let us know. please contact Rugby League Cares Heritage Manager Brigid Power at brigid. [email protected]

31  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

SPORT ENGLAND PROJECTS: BEARS

Coventry hosted an international Rugby League double header for the fi rst time this autumn, when the action at the provided a focus for the growing interest in the sport in the city and across the region. Working with Rugby League Cares, have been engaging local residents since the early part of summer 2016 through Bears 5s, an innovative new social form of Rugby League. The Sport England-funded programme, which is unique to the city and part of Pupils taking part in the Coventry Bears’ Bear Coventry’s seven-year strategy to become 5s innovative new social form of the game a City of Rugby, has been crafted with the aim of creating a gateway for young people who do not regularly participate in by 10-minute versions of the small-sided it out for a trophy in a fi ve-a-side touch sport to experience the game, often for the game. The project has engaged over rugby competition, which celebrated the fi rst time in a new geographical area for 1,400 local people already, many of whom arrival of the Four Nations Rugby League Rugby League. previously would not have known about tournament at the Ricoh Arena, where Bears 5s simple new 5-a-side Rugby Rugby League or Coventry Bears, one of England played Scotland and tournament League can be played as a touch rugby the sport’s newest professional clubs who champions Australia took on New Zealand. or a contact game and has been played joined League 1 in 2014. Each school received warm-ups and in schools, parks, community centres and A recent highlight of the project came team talks from one of the Australian even summer music festivals. when some of Rugby League’s top stars and England players, as well as the Bears 5s aims to bring the game into the recently dropped in to a Bears 5s school opportunity to take part in a question and local community and to community events: rugby festival. Australian internationals answer session, before playing the game sessions are delivered by Coventry Bears Tyson Frizell and Jake Trbojevic joined competitively. players and coaches and can be easily England’s , Bears 5s continues into the New Year tailored to meet the needs of diff erent and at the Bears 5s Four with a focus on engaging more local groups. Nations Schools Festival, played at a local people, not just to improve fi tness, but to A typical one-hour session incorporates sports centre and hub of Bears 5s activity. wider engage in all Rugby League activity rugby fi tness skills and drills, followed Twelve teams from eight schools battled within the city.

SPORT ENGLAND PROJECTS: CUMBRIA

Rugby League in Cumbria is going The Cockermouth Titans Youth Start-up and registered. The Under-19s team has from strength to strength with the help project has now been completed. This been called ‘Furness Raiders’ to represent of Sport England investment through was set up to create two new youth teams the partnership set up between the club Rugby League Cares that is already (Under-16 and Under-14) in Cockermouth and local Furness Academy. delivering encouraging results. where there was previously no community- GLL, the county’s main leisure provider, Active Cumbria’s ‘Play Rugby League based Rugby League club. has planned a series of Walking Rugby in Cumbria’ programme involves a Some 49 players were recruited and activity for older adults aged 50-plus at six partnership with fi ve local providers to registered in March and received training of its sites across the county. Staff have deliver nine projects which aim to enhance on two nights each week. The Under-16 been recruited and trained, with activity existing projects and encourage new team played 15 fi xtures up to October and commencing in January. participants across the region. the Under-14s team played 18 fi xtures. A Masters project targeting men over As part of the Allerdale Schools Foundations are strong as the Under-16s 45 has commenced at Cockermouth and Coaching project being delivered by team will remain in place next season is being delivered by the Workington Town Workington Town Community, a total having lost just one player. Community Trust, with further activity of 160 pupils in Years 10-13 from two The Super Lotto Rugby planned at other locations across Allerdale. secondary schools have been participating League Youth Development project was Workington Town Community Trust regularly in Rugby League activity as part set up in October and will continue to also has a Competitive Touch project of the curriculum. deliver through to April. This is a multi- starting up at Netherhall and Workington A further two secondary schools and faceted project which focuses on bridging and their fi nal project, Social 9s, is due to a similar number of pupils will receive the gap between Under-16s leagues and commence in the New Year. their activity in January. This project is open age teams, as well as creating an The Copeland Rugby League also connecting BTEC students in Sports Under-19s team to give the area’s elite Development Foundation will attract up to Studies and providing them with coach youngsters the opportunity to develop 45 young females into activity in January, development training, helping to build the towards a semi-professional career. To which will be provided after school in the future capacity in the game. date, 48 youngsters have been recruited Egremont area of West Cumbria.

32  www.rugbyleaguecares.org SPORT ENGLAND PROJECTS: TAGGED

A non-contact version of the game, called Tagged, has proved popular among the 12 universities it has been piloted at in the south east

A new version of Rugby League which students who might not necessarily be it’s mixed gender. Also, the people who features all of the thrills and skills of the interested in playing the full contact mainly get involved with Tagged are like me sport but none of the pain, is becoming a version of the sport and compliment the so I’m not intimidated; when you come to huge hit on university campuses across growth of the 13-a-side game.” Tagged everyone is themselves, they are all London and the South East. Tagged is proving popular with female diff erent, they all have diff erent lifestyles More than 500 students - 76 per cent players: almost 55 per cent of participants yet we can play together and have fun of whom had never played Rugby League on the fi rst term were female. Tagged whilst we are doing it. before - have been introduced to the is also appealing to students who may “There are also the fi tness benefi ts: I am sport for the fi rst time since the launch not already be participating in sport and not going to lie, I usually avoid anything of Tagged at the start of the current physical activity. to do with physical activity but at Tagged academic year. Szymik added: “It’s been really rewarding I don’t realise that I am doing quite a lot of Tagged is a mixed, social version of tag to see the number of students that Tagged exercise whilst I am having fun playing. Rugby League which is being piloted in 12 has encouraged to get back into sport and “It’s been amazing, I feel like it’s really universities in London and the South East. give Rugby League a go for the fi rst time. changed me. In my fi rst session I wanted to It is designed to engage students who The off er is fun, inclusive and a great way to stop after 10 minutes, as I was exhausted, don’t already play Rugby League in a less get both fi t and make new friends.” but I am not like that formal, non-contact version of the game. The popularity of Tagged is being fueled anymore, I keep going for Tagged adopts the same rules as Rugby by engaging activity on social media, the whole hour and even League with six tackles, play-the-balls and with players using Twitter to interact sometimes we want to tactical kicks, but players are tackled when with team-mates and rivals to continue play on a bit longer. an opponent removes a Velcro tag from the fun away from the pitch using the “For anyone thinking their shorts rather than being crunched to hashtag #GetTagging. For creative arts about giving it a go I the ground. The initiative is being run by student Jessica Clements, a self-confessed would say, don’t be afraid, the London Rugby League Foundation in couch potato who had never dreamed of you’ll be surprised how partnership with Rugby League Cares and is playing Rugby League a few months ago, many people are like quickly becoming a popular success in the Tagged has become a massive highlight of you. Don’t worry about capital. university life. not knowing the rules or Tagged Project Manager James “Before I started playing Tagged I wasn’t feeling silly, it’s really easy Szymik said: “Rugby League is going doing any physical activity, I spent my to learn and a great time.” from strength to strength in the university spare time doing hobbies like sewing,” said For more information sector with new teams joining the BUCS Clements. “My housemates persuaded on Tagged please visit

leagues every year. We knew there was me along to my fi rst session six weeks ago tagged-rugby.co.uk or Jessica an opportunity to launch a non-contact and I can’t imagine not playing Tag Rugby follow @TaggedRugby on Clements version of the game to reach those League now, I love it! I like Tagged because Twitter

33  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

CASEFILE 1

A Rugby League Cares project which is giving young people from Asian communities across Bradford their fi rst taste of Rugby League is proving to be hugely popular. A Connecting Communities festival took place at this summer The Connecting Communities project is being delivered by the Bradford Bulls Rugby Foundation, in association with Rugby they would continue to attend further League Cares, and has made positive steps sessions and if they knew of the local ugby eague match for the fi rst time towards increasing participation within the clubs in their area. The results were that this in turn created interest amongst the city by introducing hundreds of boys and the children were aware who the Bradford children in participating in sessions within girls to the sport. Bulls were but only a handful knew the their local centre. The foundation delivered 10 one-hour names of local community clubs such as The Bulls Foundation sought the long sessions at the Police Camps at or Wibsey. assistance of porting uals and the to 68 children between On September 4, hosted Asian Sport Foundation to utilise their August 15 and 26, and went on to deliver a Connecting Communities festival which connections in the community and to 10 more sessions to 70 children during involved groups participating in a taster arrange meetings. This has had a positive the October half-term Police Camps. session on the pitch before the Kingstone impact as from one of our meetings the The Police Camps allowed the project to Press hampionship fi xture between foundation met Shapla sports centre and reach a further 60 children aged between radford ulls and heffi eld agles. community centre to build nine and 11. Ikram Butt took a group from Leeds relationships with the people in charge As well as delivering coaching sessions, whilst from Bradford a group of boys of organising physical activities for local the foundation asked the children whether from the Girlington community centre children. attended and participated in a session On the advice of the centres, the for the fi rst time. ollowing the game all foundation has attached its sessions on the youngsters were invited back to the to the back of current sports sessions Touchdown building for food and drinks and are booked in for an initial 10-week and given Provident tickets to sit in the programme that began on November 12. stands to watch the game. The aim for the remainder of the project For many of the Girlington group this is to deliver coaching in at least two more was their fi rst experience of what ugby community centres as well as maintaining eague has to off er. Having established the sessions that are already running. that crucial fi rst connection at irlington, There is also a plan to host another festival further sessions are now planned in the in the spring that will involve both the New Year. community centres and community clubs. On October 29 a group from the Shapla On the back of the partnership with community centre lead by Humayun Islam porting uals, radford ulls ugby Boys and girls from the Asian attended the ngland v ew ealand our oundation hief xecutive ark inder community are engaging ith Rugby League in Bradford ations game at Huddersfi eld. gain most was invited to the porting uals from the group were experiencing a live ‘Leaderboard’ conference in London.

34  www.rugbyleaguecares.org CASEFILE 2 CASEFILE 3

The Connecting Communities project is delivering tangible results in Leeds where the British Asian Rugby Association is reaching out to much under-represented minority ethnic communities. Working with Rugby League Cares, the Association has targeted four key community groups to work with, including the akkah osue in partnership with the rand osue, amgarhia entre, Hamara Healthy iving Centre and Chapletown Youth Development Centre. hilst the proect got off to a slow start for various reasons, it is now picking up pace. vents such as the eeston ela, a link with radford ulls and being invited to watch ngland v ew ealand at Huddersfi eld have

The 2020 Foundation took a trip to the demonstrated that there is a thirst for communities England v Ne Zealand game at Hudders eld to engage with ugby eague. isits to mosues, gudwara and temples also helped to spread the message. Activities initially began in collaboration with Sikh Sport UK at Roundhay Park and will be revisited after the New Year. The most successful area to date is working with the Hamara Healthy Living Centre. There are 15 young people attending who are all eager to continue after the six-week sessions come to an end. The outcome of the sessions so far are a nine-a-side team and one individual who is over the age of 16 wanting to take the fi rst steps on a rugby coaching course. The ssociation has also started to deliver sessions at Hyde Park with a good turnout of 15 young people attending, with another 10 signed up for the next sessions. In the New Year the Association plans to target once again the Ramgarhia Centre in partnership with Sikh Sport UK and work in partnership with Chapeltown Youth evelopment entre by running six-week sessions in both areas. A programme of activities designed to engage young Workshops will be delivered providing a greater people in Kirklees in Rugby League activity has enjoyed awareness and understanding of the communities that the a number of sign ifi cant breakthroughs in recent months Association serves along with visits to community/religious As part of the Connecting Communities project run establishments. The Association hopes to facilitate more in association with ugby eague ares, the 22 visits to professional games with the aim of all the targeted Foundation has reached out to many people from the area’s centres developing new teams and satellite clubs. sian communities who have previously never experienced the sport before. The foundation has established some fruitful partnerships and achieved a number of key milestones, including holding positive meetings with faith-based schools who enjoyed a live game at Huddersfi eld iants. A fun holiday programme was run alongside a girls’ activity session and a twice-weekly session for men that used rugby as a health-related focus. The foundation has meetings planned with to link into the club’s own programmes and is organising ‘Introduction to Rugby’ sessions at venues across Kirklees, including Crow Nest Park. Participation numbers are on track with healthy progress made in key areas. The foundation has a series of inclusive projects and programmes planned for the coming months, including a visit to the Al Hashim Academy in Batley where a uestionnaire will be circulated to all the proect users. The focus over the winter months is to concentrate on this as an activity, along with the men’s and boys’ sessions, and to seek more feedback from participants. In the week leading up to Christmas and New Year the project will conduct more uestionnaires with em’s group and the The British Asian Rugby Association is achieving results holiday attendees. ith youngsters from Asian communities in Leeds

35  @r lcares Specialist Insurance For Sports Professionals

For excellent rates on your car and home insurance...call us today!

“QUOTE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES” @AllSportInsure +44 (0) 7773 364294 Visit: www.allsportinsurance.co.uk SPORT ENGLAND PROJECTS: #UNITEDBYRL

An exciting project that has seen almost 200 women and girls play Rugby League for the fi rst time over the last six months is changing the face of the sport in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. Active Humber has been leading the #UnitedbyRL programme across Hull, a city with a proud Rugby League tradition at professional and community level but which has limited opportunities to play the game outside the club structure - and even fewer opportunities for female players. Two girls teams have been established at Hull FC #UnitedbyRL brings together key partners with an interest in and Hull KR by the #UnitedbyRL project Rugby League and increasing participation - Rugby League Cares, Hull KR, Hull FC, University of Hull and the City of Hull Academy led by Active Humber. There has been a fantastic take up of the professional clubs, who have both committed to continue funding off er to the Colleges, University and the girls game: more than beyond that provided by #UnitedbyRL. The girls also had the 250 participants have engaged with the activity over the last six opportunity to play at KC Lightstream Stadium before the opening months with around 70 per cent of those being female. Four Nations fi xture between Australia and Scotland. A direct outcome of the programme has seen the formation The University programme stepped up its activity at the start of two new Under-16 female teams based at the two of this academic year and the early signs are positive with female students interested through their Fabu’lass programme and a healthy interest in the ‘Tagged’ delivery ,which is a pilot outside London which links into the work of the London Rugby League Foundation (see Page 33). The next three months are going to be very interesting to maintain the fantastic start the project has enjoyed: the female hub delivery is set to continue providing further opportunities for girls to play and teams to compete, including a request for a fi xture from St Helens. The partners will continue their commitment to working together to develop Rugby League and ensuring a real impact is seen as part of this project. Work will also take place within the community game to develop #UnitedbyRL

SPORT ENGLAND PROJECTS:

Newcastle Thunder’s community project has been busy in 2016 with community coaches delivering a range of programmes to raise awareness and increase participation levels across the region. Since March, through the support of Sport England and Rugby League Cares, Thunder players and Rhys Clarke have delivered coaching in schools throughout the North East to Year 10 and 11 girls, whilst also launching Thunder Fit and Thunder Touch Rugby League, aimed at people aged over 16. All three programmes have proven successful, engaging over 700 people with the sport. Thunder co-captain and community project coach Rhys Clarke said: “We’ve been running the programmes since March and have been engaging with people who’ve never played rugby before and Newcastle Thunder introduced girls who don’t play much sport in general. from across the North East to the “With the girls, we’ve introduced them to a new sport that joys of Rugby League last summer they’ve never tried before and they’ve really taken to it. The programme starts with a six-week block in their PE lessons and then we set up after school clubs for a further six weeks, with the “Thunder Fit and Touch Rugby League are aimed at ages 16 numbers transferring over being brilliant. and above, with Thunder Fit a boot camp based programme, with “We’ve been in 15 schools and had over 600 girls involved and at sessions that have elements of rugby in there,” said Clarke. least 10 of the schools still play competitively in tournaments we “It’s designed to get people into some form of physical activity organise at the end of every half term. We’ve managed to get a lot and we try and progress people from that into playing Touch of girls who have never played before playing in school teams and Rugby League. Currently we have a site set up at Gateshead at local community clubs.” Storm, with 22 regulars every week and as we move into the New More recently, the Thunder Fit and Touch Rugby League Year, there’ll be further sites running at Tyne Metropolitan College, programmes have also enjoyed a successful start. Cramlington Rockets and Sunderland University.”

37  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

Every picture tells a story and the Rugby League Cares photo archive has thousands to tell…

adly many of the images in our archive have reached us without captions or details of S the event or match at which they were taken: and this is where you come in. We need your help in identifying the magical moments from the sport’s history that are reproduced here. We also publish a series of mystery images every week on Facebook so please like our page and get in touch if you can help. We have some details for some of the images here, including the fantastic picture of Maurice Lindsay and Bob Ashby with actress Glenda Jackson at the old RFL HQ at Chapeltown Road in Leeds - but who is the man on the right and what was the occasion? Also, MBE looks on in one image from the 1971 League Championship semi- fi nal, igan v akefi eld who are the other two players and, if you were at the game, what are your memories? There’s also a picture of former St Helens and Great Britain scrum-half at one of the popular Daily Mirror Rugby League Roadshows. Have you got any good stories to share from attending the roadshows? Who are the ‘personality girls’? And would you like to see the roadshows return? Again, let us know. Capturing the memories of fans is hugely important to Rugby League Cares as we gear up for the opening of the National Rugby League Museum in 22 we want to tell the story of the real game and we can only do that with your input. If you can shed light on any of the photographs shown here or on our Facebook page, please get in touch with Rugby League Cares Heritage Manager Brigid Power via email on [email protected]

38  www.rugbyleaguecares.org Danny Jones Defi brillator Fund proving Rugby League lifesaver

nprecedented numbers of players and supporters will attend Rugby League games in U 2017 secure in the knowledge that potentially life-saving equipment is at hand in case of emergency. Over 100 community and junior clubs with more than 15,000 registered players now have defi brillators installed, many of them purchased with support from the Danny Jones efi brillator und which continues to capture and refl ect the goodwill of the ugby eague family. The fund was set up in memory of Danny Jones, who tragically passed away while playing for Cougars in 2015, and is being championed by his wife, Lizzie, who The tragic death of Danny Jones has presented over defi brillators in recent is leaving a lasting, positive legacy through the de brillator fund months. By the start of the 2017 season, every National Conference League club will have its own defi brillator and throughout the year the fund plans to roll out a series of training programmes to ensure that all clubs have volunteers who can use the equipment confi dently. efi brillators are valuable assets not League 13 donate just to Rugby League clubs but to their local communities,” said Lizzie, whose commemorative caps eff orts to raise awareness of cardiac health since Danny’s death saw her recognised as As commemorations for the 100- Thomas Steele () Inspirational Woman of the Year by the ITV year anniversary of the First World into the Hall of Honour. The fourth show, Lorraine. War continue, Rugby League Cares member of the Hall of Honour is “We are also looking at supporting clubs has received a donation linked to Steve Prescott MBE, a player who did who wish to implement a cardiac screening the bravery shown by players on so much good for the game prior to programme for their players and are providing the battlefi eld his death from stomach cancer. support so that clubs can purchase cabinets Three Rugby League players were Ernie Benbow, the former Chief that allow defi brillators to be accessed by their awarded the Victoria Cross for their xecutive of eague , said e are communities.” great acts of bravery in the Great War delighted that these caps are going and their heroism was recognised to a good home in Rugby League by the League 13, the organisation Cares, as the custodians of the set up to represent the interests of sport’s heritage. We hope they will be professional players. enjoyed by people in years to come.” League 13 has since closed Rugby League Cares Heritage and opted to donate to RL Cares anager rigid Power said e commemorative caps produced for would like to thank Ernie and League the induction of Jack Harrison (Hull 13 for this generous donation of

Li ie Jones presented a de brillator to FC), Thomas Bryan (Castleford) and memorabilia which recognises the ibsey arriors in early December important contributions made by four of the game’s great heroes. “The stories of the sport’s Victoria At a recent meeting, the fund approved Cross winners need to be told to applications for grants towards the £1,000 cost future generations and these caps, of a defi brillator to the following clubs which will be added to our historical collections, will help ensure that they Catterick Crusaders ...... (£750 grant) will never be forgotten.” Meltham All Blacks ...... (£750) League 13 has also donated the Waterhead ...... (£500) balance from its bank account of Batley Boys...... (£750) £1,336.33 to the RFL Benevolent Sharlston Rovers ...... (£750) Fund. Shaw Cross ...... (£750) ...... (£500) Cutsyke ...... (£750)

39  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

ore than 1,000 young dancers helped make the 2016 Ladbrokes Four Nations a M spectacular hit o the fi eld - as ell as on it - as part of our JOIN THE Join the Momentum dance programme. The dancers performed a piece called ormation our ations at fi xtures involving ngland, cotland, ew ealand and eventual winners, ustralia. MOMENTUM The piece was created at a workshop in eptember, led by expert dance practitioners performance of the dancers, many of whom celland, irector of den ance, said on eney and himes econte of ation, had only learnt the piece that day It was an incredible experience once again. where the piece was then put together by Then it was on to Huddersfi eld for ngland Thank you for letting us be a part of it all, my dance leaders before they brought their groups v ew ealand at the ohn mith’s tadium group are very grateful. up to speed with long hours of hard practice. the next day, where a sell-out crowd of 2, icola Penketh of t Helens and utton The dance piece was performed to a gathered to watch the host nation’s fi rst game. cademy ance eader, said Thanks again bespoke track composed by ee ff en which ore than 2 dancers spent their morning for all your hard work today. The girls had a had sounds from cotland, ew ealand and rehearsing for what was set to be the biggest fabulous time. ustralia, plus an added snippet of the national stage they may ever perform on. oin the omentum would like to thank all nthem, od ave the ueen’. few weeks later and the oin the dance leaders, without whose hard work the any of the participants came from ugby omentum team were back for ngland v programme would not have been delivered so eague club academies and foundations, ustralia at the ondon tadium, where over successfully. whilst others were drawn from local schools dancers performed pitchside during the The groups which took part in the amaing and community groups. or many of the interval in front of a bumper crowd of ,. experience were Hull ance cademy, young people this was their fi rst taste of a The our ations fi nal came round so uick ittle tars, yke ollege, nottingley ngels, ugby eague game as well as the amaing and with that came the last performance of evison ance Team, ance ompany, opportunity to dance on an international stage. ormation our ations at nfi eld in iverpool, Passion ance, t icholas, eatherstone ugby eague ares ance Programme where ustralia and ew ealand fought it out overs tarlights, utton Park, Huddersfi eld Proect anager, arah lston, and ance for the trophy and dancers kept a crowd iants heerleading cademy, astleford Practitioner my urdon travelled the length of ,2 entertained. ince then the oin the Tigers Paws ance cademy, olls ance and breadth of the country to get all dance omentum team have been overwhelmed by Training, va owery, asis cademy, groups and their leaders prepared for the messages of thanks they have received from anceode Thurrock, Hendon chool, Tiffi n tournament. dance leaders. chool, eeds hinos hinestones, arrington t the ightstream tadium in Hull, a Huddersfi eld ance eader ernie orley, olves oundation, t Helens oundation, cast of 8 dancers performed at the interval who brought her dancers to the Huddersfi eld utton cademy, , edford High chool, of the ustralia v cotland fi xture where a and nfi eld fi xtures, said huge congrats lixton irls, oxhills cademy, den ance crowd of , were entertained by the brilliant on a ob well done to everyone and elly and irkenhead.

40  www.rugbyleaguecares.org aul Highton is a changed man. enjoyed doing as much as I enjoyed playing After cycling 3,000 miles from rugby. And then I went to Brazil where many the London Stadium to Rio de people don’t defi ne themselves by what they P Janeiro on behalf of Rugby do and how much they love doing it because League Cares, life will never they are just focusing on surviving. be the same again for the former Salford “That made me realise how lucky I am. and Halifax back row. Spending long hours in the saddle gives you a Five months after Highton successfully lot of time to think and I realised how much I completed his amazing two-wheeled journey enjoyed being involved in player welfare and through fi ve countries and across two helping players by giving them the benefi t of continents, he remains a physical shadow of my experience and the advice that no-one his former self, the weight he had amassed ever off ered me when I was a player. I’m not since retiring in 2009 left behind on European criticising anyone or any club because that’s tarmac and the dusty roads of just how the game was South America. back then. Thankfully Highton embarked for Rugby League has moved Brazil in late June from on and I’m delighted to be the former Olympic playing some part in that Stadium with a group continuing journey.” of riders which included Since returning to Mike Tomlinson, the the UK, Highton has husband of the late taken on a new role as charity fundraiser Jane, Transitions Manager and TV presenter Charlie with the Rugby Football Webster. League, where he works The riders cycled to the three days each week on English Channel and then the programmes that are all the way through France, helping players move into Spain and into Portugal where they retirement outside of the game as boarded a fl ight for Recife in Brazil. There seamless as possible. He is also helping they were joined by , the Leeds Rugby League Cares with the charity’s Rhinos legend, for a 1,800-mile cycle ride business development, as it builds a suite of through Brazil to the statue of Christ the corporate partners who can provide support Redeemer in Rio. and expertise to former and current players. Highton may look a shadow of his former “I get about quite a lot visiting clubs and self, but it is within where the biggest changes I’m loving it,” he said. “After Ride to Rio, a have taken place to a man who now admits to 100-mile round trip to Hull to meet a player having a whole new perspective on the world doesn’t seem such a big deal!” as he sets out on a new chapter in his life. Ride to Rio raised over £20,000 for “I lost four stones from training for the ride Rugby League Cares and and on the ride itself and I’m pleased to say it’s the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, not come back,” said Highton. “My family tell which provides support to me I’m skinnier now than when I fi rst got back young people across the but that’s down to the heathy lifestyle I’m UK who are undergoing living. People who haven’t seen me for a while treatment for cancer. are taken aback, possibly because all they’ve Although he has not seen recently are the pictures on social media forgotten the tiredness, of me from before, posted by ‘mates’ who the diffi culty of negotiating claim I used to look like a fat Chinese man! dirt track roads, the saddle “I feel very privileged to have done Ride soreness or the interminable to Rio and will always be thankful to Rugby heat, Highton’s nagging need League Cares for giving me the opportunity. for adventure continues. It’s given me a whole new focus and clarity “I’d love to do another fundraising trip for as to what I want to do with my life. Before Rugby League Cares but Ride to Rio has I went I was getting some stick - and rightly set the bar really high,” he said. “I spotted so - from family members about not having something on LinkedIn a couple of days ago secured myself a ‘proper’ job since I left where someone was looking at doing the Inca Salford as player welfare manager. trail and cycling to Machu Picchu in Peru. I’d “I hadn’t been looking too hard because I love to do that. Just don’t expect me to ride felt that I would never fi nd something that I there from London this time…”

41  @r lcares ONE IN, ALL IN - THE RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2017

The boardroom table at Red Hall as a regular hive of activity for our volunteer ticket folders

The RAF Rugby League team gave up their time to help olunteers from Netork Rail folded 12,000 ticket the sports most successful fundraising venture stubs for the Community Game Ra e in one day ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE ike all charities, Rugby to benefi t from their staff ’s goodwill in folding in next year’s rmed orces ugby eague League Cares relies heavily an amaing 2, tickets in one day. orld up in ustralia. on the time and energy of Thomas unmore, a design engineer with The ugby eague is based at L a small army of volunteers etwork ail who is involved with ittle okos ranwell in incolnshire and runs four teams who help transform our small unior ugby eague club in ork, said I’m the fi rst-team, an cademy team, a women’s administrative team into a force to be glad of the opportunity to volunteer for team and the egiment’s side. There are reckoned with. ares ugby eague is something close to my currently around 2 men and women playing nce again, the selfl ess acts of men, women heart so if I can help a charity involved with it the sport, many of whom were introduced to and young people from around the country - I’m happy. ugby eague for the fi rst time after oining many of whom have no direct connection with ight members of the ugby eague up. the game - have rallied to the cause in 2 to suad, including players, coaches and This year we produced a commemorative help us do what we do best. administrators, spent the full day at ed Hall brochure for the dinner celebrating the This summer, volunteers played an on folding duty. careers of the late oger illward and important role in lightening the pockets of e’re only too happy to help and do ick ullivan and received great support generous ugby eague fans by selling T-shirts what we can to put something back into the from talented designer areth right, and pin badges in aid of the anny ones game, said ugby eague irector of who generously produced the promotional efi brillator und at agic eekend and perations, lt gt y Hicks. literature around the event. ugby ocks. The ommunity ame a e is a valuable n behalf of everyone involved with the e also had a great group of volunteers who source of funding for clubs and teams across charity I would like to thank all the volunteers helped manage a static bike challenge and a the sport’s grassroots and we think it’s who gave up their valuable time and energy to bucket collection at the uper eague rand important to support it. There are a few sore help us, said ugby eague ares perations inal. However, volunteering is about more fi ngers and thumbs from all the folding but no- anager atie Irwin. than mixing with the great and good at maor one’s complaining. e had a great day. It would be great to namecheck everyone ugby eague events and it is in the more rganisations keep p from every ra e but there are so many good people out there prosaic setting of meeting rooms that some of ticket they sell, with p going to ugby ou’re all brilliant, we are really grateful for our unsung heroes’ most important work has eague ares to help the charity fulfi l its many what you bring to the charity and are looking taken place. This included the mammoth ob of roles, which include awarding grants to enable forward to working with you all in 2. folding ticket stubs ahead of the draw for the clubs to purchase the euipment they need to 2 ugby eague ares ommunity ame set up nder-s teams. How can you get involved a e - all , of them e sold , tickets this year and that’s ith thumbs and fi ngers working overdrive, generated an amaing 2,8 for us, said lt with Rugby League Cares volunteers from etwork ail and the oyal gt Hicks. e still haven’t decided exactly as a volunteer? ir orce ugby eague team led the way what we’ll do with the proceeds but we in the boardrooms at ed Hall in eeds and will certainly be donating a lot of it back to e are always in need of help with ediaity by spending long hours triple- charities, including ugby eague ares. fundraising, administration and events. If folding ticket stubs. e’ll also be purchasing training you would like to oin our volunteers, e-mail very year etwork ail volunteers have euipment that will be benefi cial to multiple atharine.irwinrlcares.org.uk with your a dedicated charity day and in 2 ugby people within the oyal ir orce ssociation, availability and how you would like to get eague ares became the latest organisation and supporting the players involved involved. There is something for everyone

42  www.rugbyleaguecares.org