The Ofcial Magazine of League Cares Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Cares Spring/Summer 2019

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TB10914 All RL Cares newsletter Advert 210x297mm.indd 1 18/03/2019 14:26 Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares WELCOME IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE THE LAST EDITION OF ONE IN, ALL IN, OUR NEWSLETTER INFORMING PEOPLE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CHARITY AND ITS STAFF. HOPEFULLY, THE NEXT FEW PAGES WILL EXPLAIN WHY!

A lot has happened since last summer their heroes make in the pursuit of BY FAR AND AWAY and in that time our work has continued excellence and success for their favourite THE MOST SIGNIFICANT to develop and support an ever- teams. increasing number of people involved in DEVELOPMENT FOR Some of those sacrifices are obvious, the sport at all levels. RUGBY LEAGUE CARES such as the toll the sport takes on the IS THAT FROM JANUARY We have launched the very successful bodies of these young men and women, Back Onside project, which you can read and the knock-on efect that this can 1,2019 WE HAVE BEEN about on pages 10 and 11; and Ofoad, have in later life. RESPONSIBLE FOR our massively successful mental fitness It’s the hidden challenges where most of DELIVERING PLAYER programme, has concluded its two-year our eforts go, helping players leave the WELFARE TO THE pilot phase. sport in a good emotional shape and as PROFESSIONAL AND We are now working hard to secure confident as they can be as they set out SEMI-PROFESSIONAL additional funding to ensure that on new career paths. GAME this initiative, which was delivered in Equally important is the challenge partnership with State of Mind and the of helping young men to manage charitable foundations at their finances whilst living the dream of Wolves, Vikings and Red being both a professional Rugby League Devils, can continue to be made available player and a local hero. The truth of the to all those in these key Rugby League matter is that if these aspects of a player’s communities. life are not managed and supported, they By far and away the most significant can face real difculties when they leave development for Rugby League Cares the sport. is that from January 1,2019 we have As the players’ charity, we are also there been responsible for delivering player for them when things go wrong: by then, welfare to the professional and semi- the damage done can be lasting which is professional game. why we are working hard to equip players I would like to express my thanks to the with the tools they need to succeed a Rugby League for leading on this second time around. process and for the confidence they have The Rugby League Cares Business Club shown in the organisation. exists to support players, both during and after their careers, and we are delighted Full details of how this important change that more companies are coming on came about, including the exciting board to make their services available to recruitment process it has inspired, are the game’s most important stakeholders. detailed elsewhere in this edition. Our thanks go out to our partners old and One of our challenges we and the wider new for their continued support. sport face in raising the funds needed to Thank you to everyone who picks up this support their needs is that Rugby League edition of One In, All In: I hope you enjoy players aren’t necessarily the easiest sell reading about our work and ask, if you do in a charitable context. They certainly like what you read, that you spread don’t pull on the heartstrings in the same the word about Rugby League way as flufy kittens, children or French Cares and help in any way medieval churches do! that you can. We are obviously not trying to compete with these very worthy causes. Having Chris Rostron said that, we believe that most Rugby HEAD OF RUGBY League fans do recognise the sacrifices LEAGUE CARES

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18/03/2019 14:26 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019

About Rugby League Cares Established in 2013, Rugby League Cares is an independent charity that touches on the lives of people involved at every level of the sport. The charity has responsibility for delivering player welfare programmes to the professional and semi-professional game: it supports players at the end of their careers when they make the transition to life after rugby, providing education and training grants that will equip them with the skills and 25 GET WITH THE PROGRAMME qualifications they need for the IN THIS ISSUE... How one man’s obsession has next stage of their lives. helped create a National Rugby The charity is also there for League Programme Archive current and former players who 5 PUTTING PLAYERS FIRST are enduring poor health or How the charity is gearing up 26 THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED hardship by ofering practical and to provide an unprecedented A look back on the cycling financial support. level of support for players adventure that raised £30,000 RL Cares champions the sport’s for RL Cares and almost rich heritage and is the custodian 9 GET LUCKY WITH CAFFÈ NERO provoked a diplomatic incident of its collections and archives, Everyone’s a winner in the which are staged in a state-of- the-art facility at the University of 2019 Community Game Rafe 28 THE CHAIRMAN SPEAKS Huddersfield, Heritage Quay. thank to the award-winning Tim Adams explains why RL High Street cofee house Cares is perfectly placed to The charity is aiming to open the sport’s first-ever National Rugby develop the sport’s player League Museum within the Grade 10 GET BACK TO FITNESS welfare programme 1-listed Hall in . Introducing Back Onside, our exciting new men’s health 34 SONGS IN THE QUAY OF LIFE RL Cares also promotes mental fitness and healthy lifestyle programme that’s transforming A volunteer’s-eye view of initiatives through projects such the lives of Rugby League fans the best way to access our as Ofoad and Back Onside that fantastic archive stored at the are having a positive impact on 13 RUGBY LEAGUE LEGEND University of Huddersfield the lives of men across the UK. BARES HIS SOUL www.rugbyleaguecares.org outlines how 37 MAKING A DIFFERENCE How taking part in our Ofoad @RLCares RL Cares helped turn his life around programme is helping one man Facebook.com/ win his long-running battle with RugbyLeagueCares 17 FORGING A NEW LIFE mental illness One In, All In is edited by After breaking his back playing RL Cares Communications Rugby League, Danny Scott 40 LIVING IN THE HALL OF FAME Manager John Ledger. We remains upbeat with help from Three more player are would like to thank all our inducted into the sport’s most contributors for their support, the RL Benevolent Fund including SWpix, Andrew Varley exclusive club Photography, Matthew Merrick 18 TAKE A CHANCE ON ME Photography, Stuart Sheard, The sporting charity founded 43 CELEBRATING RUGBY Brigid Power and Liam Parker. by Tony Adams that provides LEAGUE’S RICH HERITAGE Published by hope and support for Rugby Why our Heritage Manager has Ignition Media League players in trouble gone back to school to study 01347 822276 / 01736 362009 for a ground-breaking PhD Printed by 21 DEGREES OF DIFFICULTY S&G Print Group French international Kevin 50 MEET THE TEAM www.stephensandgeorge.co.uk Larroyer explains how RL Cares How to get in with the has helped him devise a Plan B people behind RL Cares

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RL CARES WORKING FOR THE PLAYERS, FOR THE GAME

THE SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO THE SPORT’S MOST IMPORTANT will be there for former players who are STAKEHOLDERS, ITS PLAYERS, HAS REACHED UNPRECEDENTED accessing support from organisations such as Sporting Chance. LEVELS IN 2019 FOLLOWING THE TRANSFER OF FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLAYER WELFARE PROVISION TO RUGBY “Julie is already well known to many members of the playing community LEAGUE CARES FROM JANUARY 1. through her consultancy work with the Players have been at the heart of Within weeks of the move, RL Cares RFL and her appointment in a full-time everything it does since it was formed in demonstrated its commitment to capacity ensures that many more players 2013, but the new arrangements have supporting players with the appointment will benefit from her expertise.” firmly established RL Cares as the of Julie Measures as the sport’s first full- players’ charity. time Career Coach (see Page 20). THE RFL HAS DONE The independence of RL Cares means the The charity followed up that appointment A FANTASTIC JOB IN charity is perfectly positioned to support with the recruitment of Steve McCormack DELIVERING A PLAYER players, regardless of any contractual from Warriors as Transition Manager dispute they may have with their club, or (see Page 22), in another first for the sport. WELFARE PROGRAMME any other issues involving the governing Steve will work alongside full-time IN DIFFICULT body or other agencies. players as they approach the end of their CIRCUMSTANCES, RL Cares Chairman Tim Adams said: “This playing careers to help them prepare for WITHOUT GETTING THE is a very exciting move for us. life after rugby. He will also provide additional support to RECOGNITION THEIR “The handover of responsibility for player players across the game alongside the welfare follows detailed discussions with HARD WORK MERITS clubs’ dedicated Player Welfare Managers, the League, who deserve as well as working closely with Julie RFL Chief Executive great credit for their commitment to this Measures. said: “Rugby League Cares is a fantastic important field. organisation and this move is recognition Steve joined the charity in late March from of the outstanding work they were “The RFL has done a fantastic job in , where his work as Player already doing. delivering a player welfare programme in Welfare Manager had seen the Super difcult circumstances, without getting the League champions become recognised “Bringing all the game’s welfare provision recognition their hard work merits. as one of the most progressive clubs in under their supervision will bring greater British sport in the field of player welfare. consistency of delivery, plus other benefits. “The outcome of those negotiations is This is just a smarter way of working and that for player welfare to be even more Emma Rosewarne said: “The appointment will help to concentrate further focus and successful, it needs to be delivered by an of Steve and Julie is hugely important resource in support of the welfare agenda. organisation like RL Cares.” for Rugby League and underlines RL Cares’s commitment to providing first “The RFL and the The Player Welfare programme is being class levels of service and support to the clubs will continue to fund welfare led by Emma Rosewarne, who has been playing community. provision through Rugby League Cares, seconded to the charity from the RFL, but this also gives the welfare programme where she has been at the forefront of the “Steve’s role is broad and far-reaching: as more independence as part of a governing body’s welfare programme. well as supporting current players, Steve registered charity.”

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Keith Senior and Amy Derham with and MATTIOLI WOODS JOIN OUR BUSINESS CLUB ALL SPORT SIGN

Rugby League Cares has teamed up players will earn more than at any UP FOR ANOTHER with one of the country’s leading wealth other period in their working lives and management providers, Mattioli Woods it is imperative they get the best advice THREE YEARS plc, to help players make the most of available to allow them to make the right their income from Rugby League. decisions for them and their families. Rugby League Cares has “Our relationship with Mattioli Woods agreed a three-year extension The partnership will see the financial will allow every player to formulate a to its partnership with All Sport planning experts from Mattioli Woods financial plan that is unique to their Insurance, who continue to be develop a close relationship with the personal circumstances by working with a fantastic supporters of both the playing community, ofering trusted company that prides itself on putting the charity and the sport’s players. advice, high standards and a best interests of their clients first.” Since becoming involved with personalised service. Founded in 1991, Mattioli Woods Like many young men, players often the charity two years ago, All has ofces in Aberdeen, Belfast, Sport Insurance have provided struggle to manage their finances Birmingham, Buckingham, , successfully and miss many opportunities cover to hundreds of professional Glasgow, Leicester, , , Rugby League players in Super to invest wisely, which can leave them Newmarket and Preston. disadvantaged at the end of their League and the Championships, The company administers over saving the playing community playing careers. 10,000 clients and hold £8.8 billion of The Head of RL Cares, Chris Rostron, thousands of pounds when taking assets and is best known in the sporting out car, home and other insurance said: “I am delighted to welcome Mattioli world through its sponsorship of policies. Woods on board as a member of our . RL Cares Player Support Ofcer Business Club. Above: Adrian Firth (left) and Jody Downes of Mattioli Woods with , the former Great “During their playing careers, most Chris Rostron and Emma Rosewarne Britain centre, said: “All Sport Insurance have become the go-to company for all Rugby League players, both for their competitive GREAT DEALS FROM ACADEMY LEASING rates and for the personal service they ofer. Rugby League Cares has had a “Players have often found it positive response from the playing tough to find afordable cover community to its partnership with because insurance companies Academy Leasing, who joined see them as high risk: All Sport’s the charity’s Business Club last expertise is seeing players save November. hundreds, and sometimes Based near Warrington, Academy thousands of pounds. Leasing have been sourcing and “Through our extended funding vehicles throughout the partnership, players can continue UK for over 30 years and already to benefit from savings on not saving players and their families only just their car insurance but thousands of pounds on new and any insurance requirements they used car deals. and Michaela Dodd may have.” Chris Rostron, the Head of Rugby The partnership with Academy All Sport Relationship Manager League Cares, said: “Our partnership Leasing has been given the seal of Amy Derham said: “We are with Academy Leasing is ensuring approval by Rugby League Cares thrilled to have this opportunity to players and the wider Rugby League ambassador Adrian Morley, the sport’s continue helping Rugby League community now have access to the most-capped player. players save on their insurance best possible deals when they are in “I know from experience that players premiums and are looking forward the market for a new car. are often given poor advice when to building on our fantastic “Academy Leasing have given a they’re looking for a new car and often relationship with Rugby League commitment to at least match any end up paying far too much over too Cares. deal: if a player thinks he can find long a period,” said Adrian. “At All Sport we are committed a new or used car at a better price, “It’s fantastic to see that RL Cares to securing competitive insurance all he has to do is supply Academy are working with Academy Leasing to solutions for players and their Leasing with the details and they will ensure players get the right car at the families, with the high level of match or better it.” right price.” service that we know is required.”

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ADVENTURE CONTINUES… Welfare managers at Ward Hadaway Rugby League Cares will once again take the long and winding route to the final in August when 25 PLAYER WELFARE MANAGERS hardy cyclists set out from the North of on the 2019 Ride to Wembley. MEETING A SUCCESS -based UK Red Security and will be revealed, along Dedicated Player Welfare Managers from 13 clubs took and Fire Systems have already with details of another star- part in a hugely productive meeting hosted by Rugby signed up as title sponsors studded line-up of riders, League Cares at the Manchester ofces of the charity’s of the epic adventure for a at a special launch event at Business Club partners Ward Hadaway in March. third successive year and the Brownlee Centre in Leeds Wakefield-based specialist in May. The meeting was chaired by Head of Welfare Emma engineering company Spec If you would like to sponsor Rosewarne and provided an opportunity for the club Ltd are again our main any of the riders on the 2019 representatives to share best practice and hear updates partner, having supported the UK Red Ride to Wembley for on the many tools and resources open to them. ride in 2018. RL Cares please visit The afternoon session featured a presentation by Last year’s ride raised over www.justgiving. Sporting Chance on how to recognise and maintain £30,000 for the charity (see com/fundraising/ mental fitness in players. Pages 26 and 27) with riders ride2wembley2019 The player welfare managers were also updated on the covering a weary 315 of-road ’s Listening Club initiative, part of miles over five gruelling days, All proceeds go straight to which encourages clubs to be responsive to small issues concluding at the Wembley the charity to help fund our raised by players and thereby create an environment Legends statue on the eve of important work across the where big issues can be tackled openly and fairly. the Cup final. whole sport. This year’s route is longer Our 2018 riders with their families at the and even more challenging Wembley statue STEVE BALL JOINS THE RFL ROLL OF HONOUR The sterling work of Steve Ball, the General Manager of the RL Benevolent Fund, was recognised in March when he was inducted on to the Rugby League Roll of Honour. Established in 2003, the Roll of Honour acknowledges exceptional of-field contributions and complements the RL Hall of Fame for on-field performance. Steve has had a lifelong involvement in the game, including spells as chairman of , Chief Executive of Hull FC, a director of both RL LIONS AND the RFL and and Chief Executive of . ELLIS RUGBY RAISE Since 2006 he has been the driving force behind the development of the RL Benevolent £20,000 FOR Fund, which ofers invaluable support to players and their families when tragedy strikes. RL CARES Clare Morrow, who served three terms as a non-executive director with the Rugby Football Rugby League Cares was League, was also inducted onto the Roll of delighted to receive a cheque Honour, which now features 37 individuals. for £20,690 from the Rugby League Lions at their annual Ralph Rimmer and Steve Ball luncheon in Bradford in January. The magnificent sum is the , John Ledger and Chris Rostron proceeds of the Lions’ hugely successful partnership with Ellis the fabulous event one of the Rugby, who have made a small sport’s must-attend functions for donation to the Association from all true Rugby League fans. every sale of the Great Britain The cheque was presented heritage apparel range launched to the Head of RL Cares Chris in late-2017. Rostron by Ellis Rugby Managing Ellis Rugby have also sponsored Director Kevin Ellis and Lions the Lions luncheon for the last Association secretary John two years and have helped make Ledger.

[email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares 7 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019 NEWS MUSEUM PLANS ON TRACK Rugby League Cares continues to work alongside Bradford Council on plans for a first-ever Museum. The proposed museum will be housed within the Grade 1-listed and would form a major attraction in the heart of the West city, which is undergoing a massive transformation as a destination venue. A recent restructuring of the Heritage Lottery Fund has meant the process of applying for grant funding has taken KEITH HITS THE ROAD longer than expected but all parties Rugby League legend Keith Senior has been busy on behalf of RL Cares over remain optimistic of a successful bid. the last few months by leading a series of presentations about the work of the Bradford City Hall charity to Super League players. Keith, who combines his position as that come from being a member assistant coach at Shefeld Eagles of RL Cares such as education and with his role as the charity’s Player training grants, as well as our broader Support Ofcer, has been joined support network. by representatives of some our Membership for players costs Business Club partners, including All just £20 a year, which represents Sport Insurance, Barclays and Ward amazing value given the advantages Hadaway. available for the playing community. The presentations feature details of Above: Keith Senior outlines the benefits of RL Cares how players can access the benefits membership to the Leeds Rhinos squad.

WOLFPACK TRAVEL OFFER Rugby League fans making the away trip of the season in 2019 can help support our important work thanks to a new partnership with Divine Sports Travel. The Manchester-based company are the ofcial travel partners of Wolfpack and the only agent to work in direct partnership with the Above: Danny Scott is interviewed by Dave Woods Championship club’s main sponsors, Canadian Afair and Air Transat. For every individual booking, Divine Sports Travel FUNDRAISING will make a small donation to Rugby League Cares to enable the charity to continue doing what it does, for the BALL A SUCCESS players, for the game. The 2019 RFL President’s Ball held at the Queen’s Hotel, Leeds, in January raised a magnificent £22,000 for the RL Benevolent For more details of Fund. Attendees included RFL President and Divine Sports Travel guest of honour Danny Scott, whose story of how the charity packages to Toronto has supported him since he sufered a serious spinal injury in matches please visit 2004 is detailed on page 17. divinesportstravel.co.uk

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NEWS CAFFÈ NERO SIGN UP TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY GAME RAFFLE EVEN TASTIER Rugby League’s biggest fundraiser, the Community Game Rafe, is back for 2019 with a new-look, a new partner and an amazing line-up of prizes. The rafe has already raised over £500,000 for the sport in recent OFFLOAD SUCCESS years and the 2019 rafe will provide a massive funding boost to participating clubs and teams. CELEBRATED AT GALA LUNCH Rugby League Cares has teamed up with Cafè Nero to make The success of our men’s mental wellbeing initiative Ofoad was celebrated in style the 2019 Community Game at a luncheon hosted by the Foundation at The Halliwell Jones Rafe tastier than ever before by Stadium in late April. ofering a free cup of Cafè Nero’s The two-year pilot project began in Smith and players Paul Highton, Danny premium award-winning cofee 2017 and has had an amazing impact on Sculthorpe and Jimmy Gittins. with every ticket purchased. the lives of hundreds of men who have The luncheon was attended by Fans who buy a £2 ticket for the attended fixtures delivered at Warrington, representatives from RL Cares, the three sport’s biggest fundraiser will not and . club foundations, State of Mind and many only go into the draw to be in Funded by the Big Lottery, Ofoad was other stakeholders from the North West with a chance of winning a host devised by RL Cares with expert clinical and health sector and featured a series of of experiential prizes, they can support from State of Mind and featured presentations from people involved. also claim a complimentary cofee presenters from the world of Rugby For more details about Ofoad see pages from Cafè Nero. League, including former referee Ian 36, 37 and 39. Cafè Nero is Europe’s leading independent cofee house brand with over 1,000 cofee houses around the world. Every Community Game Rafe ticket features a unique QR code that RL HERITAGE TO STAR can be scanned on the Cafè Nero mobile app for a free cofee at any of the 800 Cafè Nero cofee houses across Europe. IN BBC TV SHOW £1 from every ticket is retained Rugby League’s rich heritage will take David Harper also donned a by the selling club, with the rest centre stage on national television full Huddersfield Giants kit and was going to Rugby League Cares to thanks to a collaboration between RL put through his paces on the pitch cover administrative costs. Cares and the BBC. by two local heroes, Giants legend The main prize has been donated and our very own Player by Divine Sports Travel and is The story of how the sport was Support Ofcer, Huddersfield-born a VIP trip for two to a Toronto born in 1895 and why it continues former Great Britain centre Wolfpack experience in 2020, to play such an important role in its Keith Senior. which includes match tickets, communities is to be featured in an David Harper with Eorl Crabtree and Tony Collins flights, transfers and four night’ episode of Antique Roadtrip set to be accommodation in a four-star screened early in the New Year. hotel. Other prizes include tickets Filming took place at the John to major Rugby League events, Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield in tickets and hospitality at the 2020 April when the sport’s historian Prof Challenge Cup final and Cafè Tony Collins shared his in-depth Nero vouchers. knowledge of rugby with antiques expert David Harper. Clubs, associations and The two men discussed some community groups can order rare memorabilia from the RL Community Game Rafe tickets Cares archive, including the original by calling 0161 507 2968 or Challenge Cup trophy first awarded emailing [email protected] in 1897, a turn-of-the-century wooden rattle, a Northern Union jersey from the first-ever international played in 1906 and a pair of boots that belonged to Hall of Fame member .

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BACK ONSIDE

OUR NEW MEN’S HEALTH AND WELLBEING PROJECT, BACK ONSIDE HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN OCTOBER 2018. Targeting men aged 35-plus, the new National Lottery-funded, Sport England initiative is being delivered at 11 club foundations by current and former professional players with a focus on building men’s stamina and fitness in a fun and friendly environment.

Designed to get men back to enjoying Head of Rugby League Cares Chris jobs is twice that of people on a high exercise, the 10-week multi-sport project Rostron said: “Back Onside is a brilliant income in senior and managerial roles. emphasises methods such as goal setting way for men to rediscover the benefits Rugby League clubs operate within the and building a positive mindset towards of exercise in a safe and familiar exercise. environment, and with expert help from heart of their local communities, many experienced Rugby League professionals. of which show statistically higher-than- Back Onside draws on the experiences average levels of physical inactivity, of the current and former players to help “We all lead busy lives with work and especially in men. With many of the men build their own tools and techniques family commitments and it’s often the sessions taking place at club stadiums, to support a healthy lifestyle and change case that men struggle to find the time or Rugby League has an opportunity to behaviour towards exercise. the inclination to exercise regularly. directly reach men who have previously been disengaged with physical activity Working in partnership with Hull FC, Hull “Once you stop doing something you and ofer a unique programme to change Kingston Rovers, Rovers, enjoy, it can be hard to find the motivation Tigers, Wakefield Trinity, Leeds to start again, which leads to many men the behaviour of men in Rugby League Rhinos, , Halifax RLFC, missing out on the health benefits that communities towards physical activity. Hornets, St Helens and Wigan come from being active. Warriors, the fixtures focus on engaging men in physical activity by introducing “Back Onside aims to tackle that trend them to sports such as Rugby League, and provide men with the opportunity to football, and many more. work alongside current and retired Rugby League players in fixtures that combine Fixtures are supported by out-of-session exercise and activities with fun and resources, including interviews with banter.” current and former players about their own goal setting; how they manage Sport England’s research shows that a nutrition; and suggested exercises men third of people in lower paid and routine can do out of the sessions. Men are then jobs are inactive, meaning they do less For more information on invited to join established health and than 30 minutes of exercise that gets Back Onside and how you can wellbeing programmes within the club them slightly out of breath each week. become involved, please visit foundations. Inactivity in people in lower paid, routine www.rugbyleaguecares.org

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“I KNEW I’D DONE THE RIGHT THING JUST FIVE MINUTES AFTER I TOOK PART IN MY FIRST BACK ONSIDE FIXTURE “BACK ONSIDE IS REALLY MAKING A AT . DIFFERENCE, BOTH TO THE WAY I I’m a lifelong Leeds Rhinos fan and signed up LOOK AND THE WAY I FEEL. for Back Onside in January after the weighing scales tipped 17 stones. I started in the first week at and have attended every fixture. It’s been really good. Like many people, it’s all too easy to avoid exercise because work and family always It’s encouraged me to get of my backside and do more come first. exercise outside the weekly fixtures. Back Onside is brilliant and coming along I didn’t feel much diference in the first few weeks but by is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s Week 4 I felt both fitter and healthier. I don’t have a dog really fun and is something I look forward to to walk daily or anything like that but I’ve started making all week. time for exercise through the week and it’s great. I joined a gym recently but this is a much I have also started watching what I eat more: I thought better way to get fit. It’s a lot more enjoyable. to myself ‘what’s the point in putting a shift in at Back Onside and then going way and eating the same junk?’ I’ve been overweight for some time and wasn’t feeling too good about myself. I visited I’m really enjoying the social side of things as well. I live in my GP and he diagnosed me with high blood Featherstone but I’m not from the town and this is a great pressure. way to meet up with blokes like me. Being involved with Back Onside is really Featherstone Rovers is a club that’s renowned for its helping lower my blood pressure and I’ve community spirit and Back Onside is a great example of already started losing weight. why that is. My job doesn’t help: you don’t get much My wife is a fitness instructor so I have no excuses really. chance to exercise when you’re sat It’s really given me the incentive to lose some weight and behind the steering wheel of a bus all get myself fit. day long. I played football as a kid, I have had gym memberships in It’s really easy at the end of a long, the past, and a couple of years ago I swam across Lake tiring day to just get home, have Windermere for charity, but I’ve been out of the habit of your tea and then hit the sofa. exercising. Back Onside fixtures are great and I am not doing Back Onside to become a gym bunny, you can really feel the diference I don’t aim to get ripped, I just want to keep for days afterwards. I have a enjoying getting fitter week by week and lot more energy and I feel having some cracking banter along the way. a lot better about myself. I feel sore sometimes the day after, but I My wife keeps telling me also feel good about myself. how much happier I seem now and how I’m I wouldn’t have any hesitation in not as tired as I used recommending Back Onside to anyone.” to be.” PAUL MITCHELL, 40 CHRIS BRADLEY, 34 Contracts director Bus driver

[email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares 11 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019 ANDY GREGORY CLEARLY STRUGGLING TO CONTAIN HIS EMOTIONS, ANDY GREGORY SPOKE FROM THE HEART WHEN HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE RUGBY LEAGUE HALL OF FAME AT A GALA DINNER IN LEEDS LAST NOVEMBER.

Over 500 guests were left hanging on his never lost at the national stadium, having every word as he was welcomed to the played for Widnes in their drawn final sport’s most exclusive club by existing against Hull FC in 1982. Hall of Famers Malcolm Reilly OBE, MBE, MBE and Garry Andy was also awarded the Schofield OBE. Trophy as player of the match with Wigan in 1988 and 1990 and was a key player Taking the microphone from host Dave in the win against Woods, Andy expressed his gratitude for Manly at in 1987. the support he had received from those closest to him throughout his amazing His finest hour came in the third Test of Rugby League career, many of whom the 1988 Lions tour, when he delivered were at the induction dinner as his guests. a masterful display of classic scrum-half play in to help Great Britain end a Andy Gregory with and Peter Small They included family and friends who 10-year losing streak against . had helped play such a key role in “Sadly, that’s not what happened: my encouraging a young man who would Towards the end of his playing career brain was willing but the legs weren’t go on to become one of the greatest Andy had a forgettable spell at Leeds and I got absolutely smashed in a tackle, scrum-halves in the sport’s long and before joining Salford, who he would go much to the delight of the Saints fans illustrious history. on to coach with some success. who, for some reason, don’t like cocky “I enjoyed lots of highs in my career He played his last game for Salford little fellas from Wigan! but nothing came close to the pride I within a year of joining them, calling an “A week later it happened again against felt at entering the Rugby League Hall end to his career in frustration at the Bradford at The Willows. The gap was of Fame,” said Andy, who was inducted impact a series of injuries were having on there, I couldn’t go through it and alongside Johnny Whiteley MBE and the his game. ‘Smash!’ I was down. At that moment, I late . “I was only 32 but had lost my pace made up my mind that I’d finished. “I’ve known Johnny from when he was in and that was the most frustrating thing,’ “I still had 18 months of my contract left management and I was playing for Great he recalled. “The week before my last but I knew I couldn’t go on. I spoke to Britain. What a great player he was. And game we were playing St Helens at Salford chairman John Wilkinson straight what can you say about ‘Rocky’ Turner? and doing OK when I got the ball and spotted a gap. A few away. He was the best chairman I ever worked for, a smashing bloke, and his first “When I looked around the walls at the years earlier I’d have been away, stepped response was to ask me if I was going to dinner and saw the company I was through it and put a team-mate in for a joining it just seemed unbelievable. It’s another club. try between the posts. crazy to think of the 28 players who are “I told him straight – the only club I now in the Hall of Fame I’m only the 11th was going to from there was Bryn who is still living. Labour Club! “I was just made up to have my mam, “I set myself high standards as a player my wife, my brother and friends there, on both sides of the world and I wasn’t including one who is especially dear to meeting them. I didn’t want to be me - my schoolteacher Mr Birchall. remembered as the former great who “I never got picked for Wigan schoolboys, went on too long just to take the money. Schoolboys or England “I left my dirty Salford kit and boots on schoolboys but Mr Birchall told me the floor in the dressing room and as I ‘Greg, you’ve got some talent. Stick with walked out I must have looked back five it.’ And I did.” or six times, more with sadness than In a glittering career, Andy went on to regret because I knew I was doing the enjoy phenomenal success at Widnes and right thing. Wigan, as well as with Great Britain, for “Strangely, since that day I have never whom he gained 26 caps. missed playing. Rugby had been my He was the first player to play in eight life from being a kid but I always knew Challenge Cup finals – he collected one day it would be over and that day winners’ medals from seven of them and Andy Gregory v PNG, Port Moresby 1988 had come.

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“Someone in the Labour Club was giving diferent game now to when I first started me some stick once about me not but a lot of the same issues are still there. getting involved in the sport anymore and I told him straight: I said, look, you used “Some clubs have never done the right to be a bricklayer, how much of your thing by players. They’re seen by some spare time do you spend sitting looking club chairmen as commodities, pieces of at walls? meat to be used and thrown away. “Of course, there are things in my career I “I played in one Challenge Cup final for wish I’d done diferently but retiring when Wigan when I shouldn’t have because the I did isn’t one of them.” club made me delay the groin operation I badly needed. They gave me painkilling Sanford’s coach was Australian Garry injections for weeks which they knew Jack, who had played full-back for the would make things worse but getting Kangaroos in the 1988 Test series and me on the pitch at Wembley was all they who enjoyed a strained relationship with cared about. Andy. When the club’s form slid, Jack was relieved of duties and Andy was brought “That took its toll. When I came back in for his first taste of coaching. early from the 1992 tour because of injury It proved to be an inspired move by Wigan didn’t want to know me. We’d John Wilkinson, as Salford rose from the shaken hands on a new contract before Second Division to become a real force in I left but an injured Andy Gregory was no Super League. good to them. They were promoted at the end of the “The game has moved on, thankfully, first Super League season, a year which and it’s great to see organisations like RL also saw Salford end Andy’s old club Cares championing the cause of player Wigan’s 42-match unbeaten run in the welfare. Players need support, both Challenge Cup. during their careers and when it comes to “I started playing the sport in an era deciding what they want to do next. Salford reached the Cup semi-finals in when having a drink was an integral part 1997, losing 50-20 to St Helens, and again of being a professional player. I’d train “I wish RL Cares had been around when I in 1998 when a 22-18 defeat by eventual alongside people like , Keith stopped playing.” winners Shefeld Eagles had a profound Elwell, Les Gorley and Stuart Wright at and lasting impact on Andy. Widnes from 6pm and we’d all be in the Andy trained as a chef as a teenager and bar at 9pm. had combined his playing role at Widnes “The nature of that defeat soured my love and Wigan by running a scrap metal of the game and my desire to be involved “It was the same at Wigan, where we’d all business in partnership with his then began to fade,” he said. end up having a few beers on a Thursday father-in-law . “I wasn’t in a good place away from night after training. It was part of your Over the last 20 years, he has drifted Salford and things slowly spiraled to preparation for the game on Sunday. between dozens of diferent jobs and a point where I knew I had to leave “It got to the point where I needed is now combining a role as business the club.” help and that’s when I turned to Rugby development manager for Wigan-based Andy admits his personal demons were League Cares, who put me in touch with Expert Roofing and earlier this year threatening to control his life, especially Sporting Chance. I will forever be grateful launched a sporting events company, his long-standing battle with drink. for the support both organisations have Andy Gregory Associates with business given me. “I’ve never smoked a cigarette in my life partner Tony Baldwin. and I’ve never done drugs but alcohol has “I am full of admiration for all the things “I have found a life outside Rugby League been my weakness,” he said. RL Cares does for current players. It’s a but it’s not been as smooth as it could have been because I never really prepared for it,” said Andy.

“I look at what RL Cares does for players now and wonder what l would be up to if I had access to the same quality of advice and support.

“Many youngsters think they are going to go on playing forever but anything can happen and my advice to any player would be to start preparing for the next stage of your life as early as possible.

“I’d also advise them to listen to the right people and make the most of the time they have. Being a professional sportsman comes with many demands and needs a lot of sacrifices but it also has many advantages.

“One of those is time: the time to learn a new skill, to get the qualifications you need to do something else that you’re going to love doing for the rest of Andy Gregory with John Whiteley MBE your life.”

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THE MAN VAN OVER 30,000 MEN TACKLED THE TOUGH STUFF AROUND IMPORTANT ISSUES SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH, PROSTATE CANCER AND TESTICULAR CANCER IN 2018 BY VISITING THE MANVAN, OUR MOBILE HEALTH AND WELLBEING HUB.

Graham Steadman and The ManVan is a 38-foot converted internationals against , the American recreational vehicle operated ManVan was also a big attraction at Super by Rugby League Cares in partnership League fixtures at Hull FC, Castleford, with the Movember Foundation that Leeds, Salford and Warrington. featured at major matches up and down “The aim of the ManVan via the the country. partnership with Movember was to Featuring a mobile Rugby League reach out to men in Rugby League heritage exhibition and a host of activities communities, raising awareness of for fans to engage with, including fun key health issues and delivering health games and free haircuts from a team of messages,” said RL Cares Health Manager trained barbers, the ManVan proved to be Liam Parker. a huge hit. “The ManVan also helped grow the A total of 20,000 leaflets promoting Movember community by delivering Henderson Gill, Alan Smith and men’s health messages were also remarkable experiences that have a big distributed and more than 500 men impact on men’s health and empowered chatted about health topics while having men to change behaviours for the better. a trim. “We would like to thank Movember The visitors to the ManVan included for their fantastic support for the project some of Rugby League’s biggest stars and thank everyone who came along such as Man of Steel winner James to the ManVan to help us tackle the Roby, Kiwi Robbie Hunter-Paul, RL tough stuf.” Lions Neil Fox MBE, Henderson Gill, Des The ManVan was insured by our Drummond, and boxer Josh Warrington, Business Club partners All Sport the IBF featherweight champion. Insurance and driven by former As well as attending , Rugby League players Paul Jackson , the Challenge Cup semi- and Lee Paterson. Neil Fox MBE finals at and all three England

16 [email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares

RUGBY LEAGUE BENEVOLENT FUND THE RUGBY LEAGUE BENEVOLENT FUND HAD NOT The RL Benevolent Fund has helped Danny adapt his kitchen and recently BEEN ESTABLISHED WHEN DANNY SCOTT SUFFERED provided a grant to purchase a state- A LIFE-CHANGING INJURY PLAYING FOR MOLDGREEN of-the-art electronic sports bike that he 15 YEARS AGO. uses daily to maintain muscle mass in his legs and arms. But the devastating impact an innocuous On January 10, 2004, 22-year-old Danny tackle had on the talented young Rugby played his last-ever game, a fixture Danny and his family remain hopeful of a League player from Huddersfield has had against Sowerby Spartans. Things were medical breakthrough that could see him far-reaching consequences, both for going well for Moldgreen until Danny walk again: there have been some major Danny and others like him. took the ball in at first receiver and was advances in stem-cell research in recent stopped by a regulation tackle that left years and the sports bike is ensuring It was the recognition that the game him paralysed from the neck down. Danny is in the best physical condition he had to do the right thing by Danny and can be when science comes up trumps. another young man injured on the field Lying face down on the turf, Danny of play, that led to the creation had a sensation of pins and needles of a charity that does so much good but could not move his arms or legs. work in the sport. He was transferred by ambulance Now 37, Danny continues to be to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and supported by the RL Benevolent Fund, spent the next 10 months in a series which has made a life-long commitment of hospitals, undergoing intensive to do what it can to make his life as physiotherapy and treatment having comfortable as possible. been advised there was only a one per cent chance of recovery. As a youngster, Danny was a self- confessed ‘Rugby League nut’, playing Danny went home in October that for his school, All Saints Bradley Bar and year and though he was supported local amateur club Moldgreen, where his emotionally and practically by his team-mates included Andy Raleigh, who devoted parents, Terry and Martha, and would go on to enjoy a long professional his two older brothers, life was tough. career with Shefeld Eagles, Huddersfield Just a week before his accident, Danny Giants, Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR. had taken out his own personal accident Danny made his open age debut for insurance and that policy has enabled Moldgreen at just 16, playing on the wing him to buy his own home in Huddersfield before moving up to the pack, where he and receive round-the-clock care from was the club’s first choice loose forward. specialist workers.

For now, the RL Benevolent are maintaining their support of Danny and his family, who were guests of honour at the RFL President’s Ball in January, having attended every Ball since the inaugural event in 2005.

To make a donation to the RL Benevolent Fund please visit Danny Scott with his father Terry www.justgiving.com/rfluk

[email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares 17 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019

|| PLAYER WELFARE || SPORTING CHANCE IMAGINE GOING TO WORK TOMORROW GETTING PAID TO DO THE ONE THING YOU’VE DREAMED OF SINCE CHILDHOOD.

Then imagine not knowing One of the services utilised by RL whether you’ll be physically able Cares is Sporting Chance, a charity to get in the car and drive home that has delivered counselling and at the end of your shift because of other support to more than 400 the pain your job causes. Rugby League players since it linked with the sport in 2011. Think what it’s like being the most popular person in the supermarket Sporting Chance was founded as other shoppers ask for selfies in 2000 by Tony Adams, the and autographs with their new former Arsenal and England ‘best friend’ when you pop in for a footballer who later this year will box of cereal. become President of the Rugby Football League. Then think what it must be like needing a pain-killing injection at The organisation’s set-up costs breakfast just to get to your desk. were funded by the proceeds of Tony’s book, ‘Addicted’ which told Imagine how the 25-year-old you of his long battle against alcohol would feel knowing you’re earning dependency and the struggle he four times as much as your best faced as a high-profile sportsman mates from school. to tame his demons. Then imagine how the 35-year-old Over the last 19 years, Sporting you would feel having to go to the Chance has gone on to make a same best mates asking for a job dramatic diference to the lives after your last employer made you of thousands of players from redundant because you’re deemed across a wide range of sports by to be too old. recognising the unique pressures Welcome to the world of the they face and shaping treatment professional Rugby League player. strategies accordingly. The stars of Super League and the Sporting Chance runs the only Championship are our modern-day residential clinic in the world Sporting Chance founder Tony Adams gladiators, young men who live the for professional sportsmen cliché of putting their bodies on and women with addiction would change the way he was the line for the entertainment of disorders such as gambling, perceived,” explained Sporting the fanatical public and television substance Chance chief executive Colin viewers on a weekly basis. abuse and alcohol. Bland. Young men who, whilst living their It has a national network “He also felt conscious about dream, are all too aware of the of 200 therapists that walking into a GP surgery and fleeting nature of their chosen enable players to seeking help because of his position as captain of Arsenal career and who, throughout much access confidential and England. of Rugby League’s history, have therapy and other services to simply been expected to get on help with things like anxiety, “It was a really difcult time for with and get over it. depression, career changes and him, as you can imagine, and his relationship problems. experience helped shape the birth Thankfully, we now live in more of Sporting Chance.” enlightened times and, led by the “Tony found it difcult to get hard work of Rugby League Cares, help as a footballer: he felt he Much has changed in the the sport’s heroes can call on a couldn’t confide in anyone at intervening two decades, although widening network of services to Arsenal, not even the club doctor, the problems athletes face largely help them when things go wrong. because he was concerned it remain the same.

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“We find that diferent sports have diferent ‘flavours’: our experience in Rugby League is that it’s a very physical that leaves some players struggling to cope with the emotional impact of injury, in particular reoccurring injury,” said Colin. “Rugby League players are more likely to sufer career-ending injuries than players in most other sports.” Colin is keen to stress that the services ofered by Sporting Chance are designed to “The whole landscape around the Sporting Chance complement what is available CEO Colin Bland issues professional athletes face within the NHS, not that the NHS and the impact of poor mental can always deliver to sportsmen health have changed,” added Colin. when they need it most. “Some of the perception we see now from the general public were not there when Sporting Chance was established. “We don’t know if players are more susceptible to sufering from mental health issues now than they were back then: what we do know is that people are more willing to seek help. “It’s increasingly OK to talk about mental health. “We find that the work other people in Rugby League, such as RL Cares, State of Mind and the Rugby Football League, have done has really paved the way for players to seek help when they need it. “There is a healthy acceptance among Rugby League players that they need to talk about things that aren’t right and get help. Sporting Chance works with between 750 and 800 individuals The Duke of Cambridge “We will never replace the NHS, RL Cares Head of Welfare Emma every year, including around 60 has visited Sporting Chance at their we are not an emergency service Rosewarne said: “Our relationship Rugby League players – 10 per residential centre in and we do not have the capacity to with Sporting Chance has been key cent of the 600 or so plying their Liphook, Hampshire become one,” he said. to so much of what we’ve achieved trade in Super League and the over the last eight years. Sporting Championships. “Many of the services provided by Chance has revolutionised the lives the NHS are incredibly wonderful. “Some of those will want just of so many players in that time. However, they have to cope with one-to-one sessions in a place huge demand. “The expertise of Colin and his where they are comfortable to team is an invaluable resource, talk about how they are feeling “There is an immediacy to our not just for players but for the and what is going on in their lives,” service. When a player reaches out, club welfare staf who can always added Colin. we can put a support network in count on Sporting Chance for help place for them very quickly. “We also support retired players and advice.” and, on occasion, have stepped “Professional Rugby League players in to lend our expertise to people are a very unique client group.” involved in the amateur game Sporting Chance will continue to following tragedies such as loss play a key role in helping players of life.” recover when their dream turns So, are the problems endured by into a nightmare, enabling them to the stars of Super League the same get back to enjoying the game or www.sportingchanceclinic.com as those faced by the country’s top better equipped to prepare for the [email protected] footballers and cricketers? next stage of their life. 0870 220 0714

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|| PLAYER WELFARE || JULIE MEASURES RUGBY LEAGUE CARES UNDERLINED ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING AN UNPARALLELED LEVEL OF SERVICE TO THE SPORT’S PLAYING COMMUNITY IN FEBRUARY WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF CAREER COACH JULIE MEASURES.

Julie is already familiar to many players, having fulfilled a similar role as a consultant from 2011 with the Rugby Football League, where she lent her considerable experience as a careers advisor across Super League and the Championships. Just a few weeks after taking on full responsibility for player welfare across the professional and semi-professional game, RL Cares moved swiftly to secure Julie’s expertise on a full-time basis as a staf member with the charity. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to join RL Cares at such an exciting time for the sport,” said Julie. “We have made some great strides over the last few years and players are now more aware than ever of the need to begin planning need to be proactive and access all JOINING RL CARES ALLOWS ME TO for their next career move as early the opportunities that exist to help BE COMPLETELY FOCUSED ON THE ROLE as they can. them prepare for the future.” AND CO-ORDINATE WHAT I DO WITH THE OTHER FANTASTIC WORK OF THE “Joining RL Cares allows me to be Few players will get to stay in completely focused on the role the sport as coaches because CHARITY and co-ordinate what I do with the the opportunities simply aren’t other fantastic work of the charity.” available, but gone are the days to players in-between training when playing rugby full time meant sessions and fitting in around the Julie’s work alongside Emma sacrificing their education. clubs’ schedules. Rosewarne over the past seven years has been a contributory More and more players are now “My relationship with the club factor to the growing studying on further and higher Player Welfare Managers is really acknowledgement from players education courses and many important and together we are able of the need to begin preparing others are working towards to make an important diference,” for life after rugby at the earliest vocational qualifications, often with said Julie. opportunity. support from a grant from Rugby “It’s not just a case of bombarding League Cares. all the players with lots of “Players do recognise that information because everyone is their rugby careers won’t last It can be difcult for young men diferent and I conduct a lot of forever and are aware there is a to identify what they want to do one-to-one sessions. support network here to help and Julie’s experience is helping “I feel very fortunate to do what I them make the next step in their many players identify and forge do: it’s fantastic to be able to help lives,” said Julie. new career pathways across a wide young people who have proven spectrum of trades and professions. “There are still a few players who themselves in one career go on to have their heads buried in the sand Julie spends much of the working forge successful careers once they but most players now know they week making herself available stop playing.”

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|| PLAYER WELFARE || KEVIN LARROYER FOR ALL THE EXCITEMENT AND SENSE OF JEOPARDY THEY BRING TO RUGBY LEAGUE, PROMOTION AND RELEGATION IS NOT WITHOUT ITS DRAWBACKS.

In a sport where only one division “Losing my contract at Hull KR was Kevin joined Halifax at the end of operates on a fully professional basis, devastating for me and I was in a critical last year and is enjoying life with the the prospect of dropping down into situation,” said Kevin. Championship club, where his semi- the Championship creates considerable professionaL status gives him more time “I didn’t know what I was going to uncertainty for many players. to study. do or where to turn. That’s when I That uncertainty is compounded by the was put in contact with Career Coach “I was full time at Leigh and it was difcult financial fragility of those clubs who are Julie Measures and we began to put a combining playing rugby and doing overly-reliant on the largesse of wealthy plan together to help me prepare for life academic work,” he said. benefactors. after rugby. “The university have been really good Some players have become victims of and I get a lot of support from the course Rugby League’s hunger games on more leaders. Because I’m doing it on a part- than one occasion: Kevin Larroyer is one time basis, I have five years to get my such player. degree rather than three. A product of the successful Olympique club in France, Kevin AT FIRST I DIDN’T THINK made his Super League debut with I’D BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE in 2012 before joining FEES BUT JULIE HELPED ME on for the APPLY FOR AN EDUCATION 2014 season. GRANT FROM RUGBY LEAGUE The move brought out the best in the CARES AND THAT’S BEEN A young Frenchman, who stayed on in east MASSIVE HELP Hull for 2015 before agreeing a three-year “I must admit that as a French speaker, contract. Sadly, at the end of 2016, Rovers doing a degree in English is a challenge were relegated in dramatic fashion with and I have to work twice as hard because a 19-18 defeat to Salford in the and Kevin’s of the language. Sometimes I have contract was voided. to read things two or three times to understand and have to double check Determined to continue to forge his my grammar when submitting work to life in England, Kevin had short spells at ensure it’s correct. Castleford and Bradford before joining Leigh for the 2018 season, when the “I love it, though, and if I can do it, so can second row scored nine tries in 26 lots of players. “After a series of meeting where she appearances. got to know me, Julie suggested I “I’m really thankful for the support of Julie Leigh’s failure to win promotion should consider doing a degree here and Rugby League Cares. Thanks to them back to Super League at the in England. It’s something that had I now have a Plan B.” first attempt saw their never occurred to me. After graduating, Kevin is hoping to squad break up when the club’s owner scaled “I went along to Leeds Beckett become a players’ agent focusing on back his financial University and after meeting French players and providing a support commitments, and the course tutors signed up for network for any of his clients who secure Kevin was forced to a degree in Sports Business contracts with English clubs. Management. look for another RL Cares awards education and training club again. “At first I didn’t think I’d be grants to players on a sliding scale However, his experience able to aford the fees but based on their earnings and age to at Hull KR meant that Kevin was Julie helped me apply for an cover a percentage of any fees: players able to approach the future more education grant from Rugby who wishes to apply for a grant should confidently thanks to the support League Cares and that’s been contact their Player Welfare Manager or of Rugby League Cares. a massive help.” email [email protected]

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|| PLAYER WELFARE || STEVE McCORMACK STEVE McCORMACK IS NO STRANGER TO LONG-HAUL TRAVEL. AS NATIONAL COACH, HE LED INTO THREE WORLD CUPS, INCLUDING THE 2008 AND 2017 TOURNAMENTS HELD DOWN UNDER.

However, none of those trips had Steve had a 13-year reign as Scotland’s national coach consequences that were as far-reaching as the ones from his most recent visit to Australia in April, when he spent a week on the Gold Coast alongside 100 other delegates at the NRL’s annual player welfare conference.

Just a few weeks after leaving Wigan Warriors, where he had built an envious reputation as a leader in the field of player welfare, Steve stepped onto an Airbus at Manchester in his new position as Transition Manager with Rugby League Cares.

His appointment very much represents a marquee signing by the charity, which assumed full responsibility for delivering player welfare “Rugby League is a much bigger sport in in January this year, and his presence at the Australia than the UK: it has a higher profile, for keynote conference in Queensland helps signal TRANSITION ISN’T one thing, there are a lot more people playing how seriously RL Cares takes this new role. JUST ABOUT FINDING the game and its geographical footprint is “It was fantastic to have the opportunity to THE RIGHT JOB IT’S enormous. ABOUT MAKING attend the conference and see at first-hand “Some of the challenges they face are how a competition whose player welfare SURE PLAYERS ARE bigger than ours but many of the issues are systems are regarded as the best in Australian PREPARED FOR ALL comparable, as are the way we both tackle sport actually work,” said Steve. THAT AWAITS THEM them by providing solutions that work best for IN THEIR LIFE AFTER players.” “I was hugely impressed, not just by what they SPORT do but by just how good our own systems are Steve also delivered a presentation to the in comparison. conference outlining the player welfare programme in operation in Super League,

Steve was named Championship 1 coach of the year with Swinton in 2011 which raised more than a few eyebrows. “Many people were very curious about what we ofer our players in terms of support and they were pleasantly surprised,” said Steve. “It shows what a good job Emma Rosewarne has been doing over the course of the last decade with the RFL and, more recently, RL Cares. “The NRL have more resources than we do but sometimes throwing money at player welfare isn’t what’s needed. “We are miles ahead of them in some areas. For example, the minimum standards around qualifications that exist for our player welfare managers are exemplary. “Our player welfare is well managed, we are very good at educating players and staf and there are excellent CPD opportunities available.”

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Steve also took the opportunity during his He also coached Widnes to two time Down Under to catch-up with some of Grand Finals in 2006 and 2007 the NRL’s English players and their families to outline the support RL Cares ofers for them. Steve himself transitioned out of the sport exceptionally early in his career when his playing ambitions were ended by a serious shoulder injury as a teenager. The former England junior international went on to enjoy a hugely-successful coaching career at both club and international level: he was twice named Championship coach of the year while at Whitehaven in 2004 and 2005 and coached Salford, Widnes, Thunder, Barrow, Swinton and Gloucestershire All Golds, as well as Scotland between 2004 and 2017. His role within RL Cares sees him working closely with the dedicated player welfare managers at club level, who he has already met both as a group and at one-to-one level. “I’ve also got around to meeting a lot of players, some of whom I already knew but more who were new to me,” said Steve. “I spoke at the Head Coaches’ meeting in early May to outline what my role involves. It was a great first month in the job and couldn’t have gone better, really.” Steve’s work complements that of colleague Julie Measures, the charity’s Career Coach whose vast experience of the job and Steve also provides support to England’s education sectors is helping players forge new NRL-based players careers or gain the qualifications they need to move on when their playing days are over. “I’ve known Julie for a few years now and the work she does is brilliant,” said Steve. “My main focus is the players aged 27 and over. Transition isn’t just about finding the right job – although clearly that’s a big part of it – it’s about making sure players are prepared for all that awaits them in their life after sport. “That could be their general wellbeing, the support they have within their family or their financial planning. Players often need someone to talk to as they begin to think about what life after rugby is going to feel like for them. “Players also need support when they transition from being full-time to part-time, when they enter a dual-registration arrangement, and when they step up to the first team environment from an Academy contract. “I’m here to support the Player Welfare Managers when they’re helping a player, or the player can come straight to me knowing that the independence of RL Cares means anything we discuss will be 100 per cent confidential. “Player welfare has made huge strides in the last few years. There’s still a lot of work to do and I’m loving being part of a team that is working hard to make sure that players receive the support they deserve when they most need it.”

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24 [email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares NATIONAL PROGRAMME ARCHIVE AS THE DIGITAL AGE MATURES AND THE VIRTUAL WORLD BECOMES INCREASINGLY PIVOTAL TO PEOPLE’S LIVES, ONE OF RUGBY LEAGUE’S OLDEST TRADITIONS IS SADLY FADING. In response to falling sales, That collection now forms the many clubs have stopped basis of a National Programme I STARTED COLLECTING producing programmes, those Archive that is housed by Rugby PROGRAMMES AS A BOY, FROM ALL once integral features of the League Cares at Heritage Quay, CLUBS, AND GOT UP TO ABOUT 5-6,000 Rugby League matchday the state-of-the-art storage facility experience that informed and at the University of Huddersfield BEFORE I CONCLUDED IT WASN’T A entertained in equal measure which is home to the sport’s PARTICULARLY COOL ACTIVITY FOR AN wider collections. ASPIRING YOUNG PLAYER Like cigarette cards before them, programmes look to have Nigel has set himself the a boy, from all clubs, and got up to had their day and their demise, monumental task of collating about 5-6,000 before I concluded for all the instant gratification and cataloguing all the matchday it wasn’t a particularly cool activity ofered by social media and the programmes from the professional for an aspiring young player to be internet, leaves the sporting world arm of the sport since the nipping of to the club shop before somewhat poorer. Second World War, and for that heading to the dressing rooms. matter, as many as possible It may be that, like vinyl pre-war. “I stopped but my programmes records, programmes will make went with me from house to a comeback should future He has so far deposited 23,000 house, much to the annoyance generations realise their value, not programmes in the archive, most of my wife, especially when least for the important part they of which have been catalogued eventually the ceiling started to play in telling the story of Rugby and are available to view online. bow a little. By then I’d rescued League, its clubs and the heroes plenty more from recent years that Nigel, who played at Colts level who have thrilled millions of fans were heading for landfill after being at Halifax and for the A-team at down the years. deposited at the RFL.” Bradford Northern before injury Nigel Wood, Chief Many supporters will have their dashed his on-field dream, said: Exectuvie of Rugby There are some important gaps League International own programme collection “I started collecting programmes as Federation in the collection, including stashed away, a few hundred club programmes from Batley, mini-magazines that represent a , Featherstone and time capsule of memories uniquely the Cumbrian clubs, as well as important to their owner. Bramley, whose entire collection was lost to water damage. However, few collections are as comprehensive as that amassed Details of the National Rugby by Nigel Wood, the former Rugby League Programme Archive and Football League chief executive the sport’s ofcial collections whose passion for programmes can be accessed by visiting over almost half a century shows heritagequay.org/archives/rfl/ no sign of diminishing. Anyone who would like to Nigel, who is now chief executive donate programmes to the of the Rugby League International archive that they feel are Federation, has collected almost missing from the collection 25,000 programmes since should contact Stuart Sheard attending his first game of Rugby at [email protected] League at as a small boy. * Programme image for illustrative purposes only

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RIDE TO WEMBLEY 2018 OUR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR, THE UK RED the Monday were there at the end as we rode up Wembley Way. RIDE TO WEMBLEY, SCALED NEW HEIGHTS – OFTEN “The total raised was absolutely fantastic LITERALLY! – IN 2018 BY RAISING A MAGNIFICENT and will enable the charity to make a £30,000 FOR THE CHARITY. huge diference to the lives of people involved at every level of Rugby League. The five-day of-road cycling challenge “The car screeched to a halt in front of involved 25 riders pedalling their way us and two armed ofcers jumped out “We would like to thank all the riders, along an incredibly challenging route and demanded that we turn around and sponsors and partners for the important between MediaCityUK in Salford and leave. We asked where we were and they part they played in making the ride such . said they couldn’t tell us. a huge success, and thank everyone who sponsored the riders on what proved to The Grand Depart was broadcast live on “When we explained what we were doing be the adventure of a lifetime.” BBC Breakfast television with presenter they softened a little but we still had to The ride once again had UK Red Fire and Sally Nugent joining the riders to talk turn around. Andy Lynch asked if a selfie Security as title sponsors with specialist about the week ahead. was out of the question and they didn’t see the funny side…” engineering company Spec Ltd as main Over the course of five gruelling days, partners. Other sponsors and partners the Rugby League peloton covered 314 The route had earlier passed through were Yorkshire Boilers, Infinity Works, the Peak District and featured a tortuous miles and tackled 13,500 feet of ascent Halfords, NL Van, Truck and Car Hire, All walk up unrideable inclines in the as it wended its way south on a testing Sport Insurance and MSC Nutrition. Macclesfield Forest and passed through course that avoided tarmac at every turn. the centre of Birmingham along the city’s The full line-up of riders on the 2018 The riders included former Rugby extensive canal network before heading UK Red Ride to Wembley were: Robbie Hunter-Paul, Tracy Herd, Kevin Walton, League internationals , through the Cotswolds via Stratford- Gareth Ellis, Ian Needham, Suzanne Robbie Hunter-Paul, Nathan McAvoy, upon-Avon. James, Nathan McAvoy, Dean Bettison, Paul Highton, Andy Lynch and Mick The adventure climaxed with a ride up Julia Lee, Paul Highton, , Cassidy, all of whom sparked a sporting Wembley Way and champagne, tears Emily Colbourne, Andy Lynch, Neville ‘diplomatic incident’ when they and big smiles all around at the base of Smith, James Elton, Mike Middleton, inadvertently cycled up the driveway the Rugby League Legends statue on the Matthew Middleton, Simon Lewis- leading to Chequers, the country home stadium concourse. Pierpoint, Amy Derham, John Johnson, of Prime Minister Theresa May. Kevin Ferriby, Kerry Walker, Adam Farrar, Chris Rostron, the Head of RL Cares, Chris Rostron and John Ledger. Robbie said: “The gates to the estate said: “We knew the ride was going to be were open and it seemed the best route a tough one but few of us realised quite Geof Derham and Brigid Power both at the time. As we rode in we were how big a challenge it would prove to be, joined the ride for a day, and the support approached at high speed by a police car and it’s a credit to everyone involved that staf were Keith Senior, Emma Goldsmith so we pulled over to let it pass. all 25 riders who set of from Salford on and Nick Goldsmith.

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WE KNEW THE RIDE WAS GOING TO BE A TOUGH ONE BUT FEW OF US REALISED QUITE HOW BIG A CHALLENGE IT WOULD PROVE TO BE, AND IT’S A CREDIT TO EVERYONE INVOLVED THAT ALL 25 RIDERS WHO SET OFF FROM SALFORD ON THE MONDAY WERE THERE AT THE END AS WE RODE UP WEMBLEY WAY

[email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares 27 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019 TIM ADAMS IF TIM ADAMS MBE HAD ANY THOUGHTS OF A QUIET RETIREMENT, A CHANCE ENCOUNTER IN A ELEVATOR IN 2004 DASHED ANY PROSPECT OF LEISURELY DAYS PURSUING HIS LOVE OF SPORT.

The man whose finest hour had Fund than time: through his industrial giant Lonrho during the come six years earlier when he led passion for horse racing, and 1970s and 1980s before leading Shefeld Eagles out at Wembley involvement in the charitable a management buy-out of one Stadium as chairman of a club Injured Jockeys Fund, Tim had of their steel processing and that would spring the biggest helped generate considerable engineering group in 1992. surprise in Challenge Cup history, sums through fundraising events. could not have imagined the Five years later, he sold the Firsteel Tim also had a deeply personal impact that fateful meeting at the Group to British Steel and took interest in the welfare of victims would have. early retirement before joining of spinal trauma: his wife, Sue has Shefeld Eagles as chairman at the Fifteen years on, the lives of been confined to a wheelchair invitation of the club’s new owner, countless people across Rugby since a car crash in Zambia in 1975 Paul Thompson. League have been changed for when the couple were living and the better by Tim’s continued working in Africa. “I knew Paul through having involvement in the sport through mutual lawyers and it was a great “I have a lot of empathy for people his position as chairman of both opportunity for me to become in wheelchairs: it’s over 43 years the RFL Benevolent Fund and involved in Rugby League,” since the accident and I’m acutely Rugby League Cares. said Tim. aware of the challenges they face “I had only gone to the Cup final on a daily basis. “I’d had a lifelong love of the sport in Cardif as a guest of (then RL and had grown up with Lewis “To live with a wheelchair takes chief executive) Nigel Wood and Jones and Colin Evans at Leeds as a lot of mental toughness and was looking forward to the game,” my sporting heroes. I never cease to be impressed recalls Tim. by their ‘can-do’ attitude and “My mum had polio so at eight “Nigel, , David determination to do something I was despatched to boarding Hinchlife and myself were in a lift about their situation.” school, St Peter’s at York. when a young woman entered A chartered accountant by “My best friend at school, Martin holding a bucket asking for Matt King with Gethin Jones profession, Tim worked for Sutclife’s sister married Wakefield donations for a collection for two players, Matt King and Danny Scott, who had sufered serious spinal injuries earlier that year. “We looked at each other and all had the same thought: it was clearly wrong that the game was reliant on bucket collections to help players who were in need of help. “Nigel came up with the idea of the Benevolent Fund and within a few short weeks we had trustees in place: all that was needed was a chairman. As everyone else was very busy (Gary was RFL President as well as chief executive at Leeds and David was the MP for Wakefield) and I had time on my hands, they asked me and I duly accepted.” He had more to ofer the sport and the newly-formed RL Benevolent

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Trinity great Gerry Round. We were always getting into trouble for playing to league rules in practise games of union! “I’ve gone on to make some great friends in Rugby League and met some real heroes.” As well as his role at Shefeld Eagles, Tim lent his experience as a captain of industry to the fledging Super League (Europe) as a director and as a member of the Implementation Board that helped save the Rugby Football League for what she has done in the field from financial ruin in the aftermath of player welfare over many years. of the commercially disastrous 2000 World Cup. “Ralph Rimmer deserves a lot of recognition for his commitment to Prior to the establishment of the making this happen: RL Cares is the Benevolent Fund in 2004, Rugby best organisation to deliver player League’s charitable function was welfare and Ralph recognises that. performed by the long-standing RL Foundation, a forerunner of Rugby “The amount the game spends League Cares, which was set up on player welfare will increase in 2013. significantly now that it is the responsibility of the charity: as For a long time, Tim remained well as the funds we receive from convinced that the two charities the RFL and Super League we should remain entirely separate, can generate additional money an opinion he has come to revisit through our growing Business Club in recent years, not least since partnership and the successful he succeeded Terry Flanagan as events we run. chairman of Rugby League Cares in 2016. “The independence of RL Cares also means that players can have “It was, and remains important that complete trust in what we do. I the resources of the Benevolent would encourage all players to Fund are ring-fenced because they become members of RL Cares are there purely for the benefit of because the charity really is for the the charity’s beneficiaries, many players, for the game. of whom require our lifelong support,” he said. “RL Cares is growing as an organisation and we are “The Benevolent Fund’s assembling a fantastic team of staf expenditure will only grow because Above: and are long-standing admirers alongside an experienced board of Tim Adams MBE it is an inescapable fact of life that of the work that RL Cares does: trustees who will allow us to fulfil accidents do happen in sport and Top right: Emma Rosewarne Francis has a very keen interest our increasingly important role. players will continue to sufer in player welfare and David has serious, life-changing injuries. a strong passion for the sport’s “I feel very proud to be involved heritage, as well as understanding with such a dedicated group of “I have always taken a keen interest how important the health of people who are so committed to in the fantastic work that Rugby players is.” the charity.” League Cares does and when Terry stood down because of the The announcement in January Tim’s sterling work in both Rugby demands of his business interests, that Rugby League Cares has League and horse racing – he I was pleased to be asked to be taken on full responsibility for remains a trustee of the Northern temporary chairman. That was two delivering player welfare across Racing College, which trains young people from deprived background and a half years ago! the professional and semi- professional competitions, with as stable staf and jockeys was “RL Cares has proved it can financial support from the RFL and recognised in 2016 when he was prove operate successfully on the Super League clubs, is seeing awarded an MBE in the New Year’s its own and does not need the charity playing an increasingly Honours list. access to the funds of the RFL important role within the sport. “I’m just glad that I’m in a position Benevolent Fund. It’s only a matter to help people, whether they of time before the two charities To facilitate the change, RFL be Rugby League players or come together: in fact, that is director Emma Rosewarne has jockeys, and I feel privileged to already happening with Francis been seconded to RL Cares as be involved in so many great Stephenson and David Hinchlife Head of Welfare, a move Tim feels charities,” added Tim who, 22 becoming trustees of both. was essential. years after supposedly closing his “Francis and David were already “It was vital that Emma join us: she briefcase for the last time, shows trustees of the Benevolent Fund is respected throughout the game no sign of taking it easy.

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With a team of highly specialist lawyers ready to tackle any For more information please call: legal requirements, you can be sure to benefit from our solid reputation. That’s just one of the reasons our clients trust us Jodi Tuson | Solicitor | Matrimonial with their business. E [email protected] T 0161 837 3971

Ward Hadaway @WardHadaway wardhadaway.com 30 [email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares RL CARES WORKS CLOSELY WITH WARD HADAWAY AS WE ENTER THE SECOND YEAR OF OUR IT IS GREAT TO BE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, ABLE TO HELP RL CARES IN TAKING A PROACTIVE WARD HADAWAY AND RL STANCE ON PREPARING CARES’ RELATIONSHIP PLAYERS FOR A LIFE CONTINUES TO AFTER RUGBY FLOURISH. Ward Hadaway, an awarding-winning law firm with ofces in Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle, first partnered with the charity in February 2018. In that short space of time the relationship has grown and become a hugely-valuable part of what both the law firm and the charity ofer. The partnership not only promotes and supports the charity through the skills, profile and contacts associated with Ward Hadaway, but is also central to the vision of responsibility and community that underpins Ward Hadaway as a law firm. Jodi Tuson, a solicitor in the Manchester players, or anyone in the Rugby League club partners during pre-season training, family team, witnessed first-hand the community need any assistance. headed up by ex-Leeds and Great Britain charity’s work after her husband, Chris international Keith Senior. The visits “Rugby League is not just a sport, it is was forced to retire early from his inform and educate the players about a family and one that I am proud to Rugby League career following an injury the services available to them, the life be part of. I am thrilled that our vision to his neck. She was instrumental in decisions ahead of them, how the charity of supporting the charity has been bringing Ward Hadaway and RL Cares can help with grants for education and so beneficial to all of us. It has been together seeing how the ethos of Ward training, and the benevolent resources wonderful to introduce our clients and Hadaway would fit so well that of Rugby the charity provide for those who face contacts to the welcoming world of League Cares. hard times. Rugby League and it is a testament to RL Ward Hadaway now provides expert Cares that so many of our friends and With the supportive work RL Cares ofers and clear sighted advice to current and contacts have built new connections in to players in a number of areas, Ward ex-players and their families in all manner the Rugby League world.” Hadaway are proud to work with such an of legal areas. This may involve day to amazing organisation and are excited to Ward Hadaway’s values mirror that of the day transactions like buying and selling see what the partnership will ofer in the charity. RL Cares are continually available properties or family estate planning but coming years. to ofer help to players both during and also includes more complex matters like after their career. charitable foundations and all manner of business and employment advice. Jodi added: “It is great to be able to help However, it is much more than about RL Cares in taking a proactive stance on ofering our expert advice. It is the preparing players for a life after rugby. opportunity to help the charity with its The appointment of Steve McCormack as If you are a professional player who governance and help raise its profile and the new transition manager is a fantastic wishes to access Ward Hadaway’s fund raising through our joint projects. and really astute step.” services, please speak to your Player Jodi Tuson said: “It is a great feeling to As part of the project, Jodi has been Welfare Manager or contact Jodi Tuson know that we are here should any of the attending club visits with other business directly on 0161 837 3971.

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David Ward Henderson Gill and

Jimmy Thompson and

32 [email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares

LIONS LEGENDS ROAR WITH PRIDE AT ANNUAL LUNCHEON

SOME OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME CAME The certificates were presented by Hall of Fame inductee Neil Fox MBE, who TOGETHER IN JANUARY TO MAINTAIN ONE OF THE found he had an unexpected connection SPORT’S FINEST TRADITIONS AT THE 2019 RUGBY with one of the recipients: Neil Holding revealed that his parents were such big LEAGUE LIONS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL LUNCHEON. fans of the Lions legend they named The Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford had sadly passed away in the previous 12 their son after him. was packed, with almost 400 guests, months: Clif Watson, Harold Poynton, Neil Fox also presented a heritage including 62 Lions, attending an Geof Gunney, Les Pearce, , certificate to the family of Jim Sullivan, event that has taken place every year Laurie Gilfedder and Roy Haggerty. the player whose world points-scoring since 1945. Heritage certificates featuring each record he broke during his incredible The Association brings together players player’s unique Lions numbers were also career. and staf who have been involved presented to those attending for the Master of Ceremonies for the day was in southern hemisphere tours or first time since the initiative was begun Pete Emmett, who did a brilliant job on tournaments with Great Britain and three years ago: the Lions included David his debut behind the microphone at the England, plus the Wales 1975 World Ward, John Butler, Paul Lions lunch. Championship team. Broadbent, Stuart Wright, Neil Holding Next year’s annual luncheon will be the The luncheon was again sponsored by and Graeme Hallas, Association’s 75th anniversary lunch: full our partners Ellis Rugby, who did brisk , details of date, venue and ticket prices business at their stall showcasing the Phil Lowe, Johnny will be published in the summer. fantastic Lions and Hall of Fame ranges Whiteley MBE and they have produced in association with Roy Mathias. the charity.

The guests of honour were Lions Andy Gregory and Johnny Whiteley MBE, who recalled some of their tour memories just a few months after they were inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame. Andy and Johnny were interviewed by fellow Lion Jamie Jones Buchanan, with Andy speaking of his pride at being elevated to the game’s most exclusive club. Johnny regaled the audience with stories of how the Luftwafe couldn’t prevent him from training after his family were bombed out of their home in Hull during World War II. The lunch opened with a moving video Phil Lowe and Neil Fox MBE paying tribute to the seven Lions who

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RL CARES VOLUNTEER STUART SHEARD HAS SPENT MANY HOURS ENGROSSED IN THE SPORT’S ARCHIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF . HERE, HE OUTLINES HOW FANS CAN MAKE THE MOST OF THE RESOURCES AT HERITAGE QUAY.

I first used the Rugby League Archives shortly As the material I was accessing was often fairly after they had been moved to the University of randomly organised, the temptation to be distracted Huddersfield from a Portakabin at Red Hall in Leeds, was great, and I suppose the odd deviation from the before Heritage Quay was built. subject in order to reminisce was probably part of the reason why I often spent longer at the university than I The material in the Archives hadn’t been catalogued had intended. and, in fact, nobody was really sure what was in many of the unmarked brown cardboard boxes. In those These days, accessing the Rugby League Archive is days, it was necessary to talk to the archivists and very diferent, but no less enjoyable. The searchroom is volunteers who were working on the collection about a pleasant place to work and because the collection is your particular area of research and hope that they now catalogued it is much easier to find the items that had some idea of where any relevant documents are the relevant to your research. might be found. My visits in recent years have been much more My first visits to the archives were mainly to undertake focused but there is still an opportunity for a ‘wander research on topics that supported books and articles down memory lane’, particularly if you are looking for I was writing. The time spent at the University always specific information in one of the many scrapbooks in seemed to fly by and initially I had to stop myself from the collection and suddenly spot a report from a match being distracted from my research when I found an you attended or an article on a player you remember interesting item in a minute book or an article from a watching. The same opportunity for reminiscing is newspaper that was fascinating but not relevant to the also there if you are reading minute books or Rugby area I was researching. Football League documents.

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As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, my own visits to the archives were usually in connection with something I was writing, but writing a book or magazine article doesn’t have to be the reason for a visit. I am sure many people reading this article will have memories of games they attended as a child and players they always enjoyed watching. Finding the report of a match you attended or articles about a player you enjoyed watching are for me good enough reasons for spending a few hours at Heritage Quay. In fact, one of my favourite visits to the Rugby League Archives involved researching a player called Jock McAvoy, a Cumbrian who had a short spell as the Bradford Northern player-coach towards the end of the 1961-62 season. Northern, as was usual at the time, were having a terrible season, bottom of the league with just two wins and a draw, and with three games to play in only seven days against clubs much higher up the table they looked likely to end the season without another victory. I attended all three games and although only a child I can vividly remember the euphoria at the end of the third game when, to everyone’s surprise, Northern won in the last few minutes and ended the season with three wins in a row - unfortunately, despite those three surprising victories, Northern remained stuck at the bottom of the table, but reading the reports of the games and articles on the impact Jock had on the team brought back some great memories. A month after the season ended, the bad news for Northern fans that Jock had resigned because the club didn’t ofer him the coach’s job for the following season made me realise the power that sport has to trigger such highs and lows in a relatively short space of time. about the history of the club you support or even one You can visit Heritage Quay and access the Rugby that has gone out of existence can be a fascinating League Archives to look at the many artefacts they journey into the past. have there; medals, trophies and playing shirts are I have always enjoyed spending time researching just some examples, but I would argue that the Rugby League, its origins, personalities and events stories behind those artefacts are what captures and if you haven’t visited Heritage Quay yet but have your imagination. an interest in the story of our sport then browse the The letter to a player telling him he had been selected catalogue, book a few hours in the searchroom and I for a Great Britain tour or the match programme and am sure you will enjoy report from one of the games he played in brings the your own ‘trip down artefact, perhaps the player’s Great Britain shirt, to life. memory lane’. People often visit Heritage Quay to find out more Check out the Heritage about a family member who played Rugby League, Quay website at when he signed professional forms, how many games www.heritagequay.org he played and to look at photographs of him in action, where the searchroom but the archive is open to everyone. The player you opening times, the might be interested in doesn’t have to be a family catalogue and details member and finding out more about his career can on how to book a visit bring your memories to life. Similarly finding out more Stuart Sheard can be found.

[email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares 35 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019 OFFLOAD MEN’S MENTAL WELLBEING PROJECT OFFLOAD CELEBRATES ITS TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN APRIL, A MILESTONE WHICH IS A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION. The Big Lottery-funded pilot project aimed at men aged 16 and over has equipped more than 1,000 participants with the practical tools and techniques to Ofoad at Warrington support their own mental fitness. management, mindfulness and many Through the partnership with Edge Hill Over the last couple of years, Rugby more - all challenges our presenters have University, Rugby League Cares has been League Cares, in partnership with Salford faced at some point in their lives. able to demonstrate the impact the Red Devils, Warrington Wolves, Widnes project is having within its communities Vikings and State of Mind, has successfully In October 2018, the incredible work and produce an independent evaluation delivered Ofoad to help break the stigma that has been done by Rugby League around men’s mental health. Cares, the presenters and all its partner of the project. organisations was celebrated at a national Rugby League Cares Health Programme Ofoad sessions have been delivered at level at the Royal Society of Public Manager Emma Goldsmith said: “This Rugby League stadiums, prisons, schools, Health’s Health and Wellbeing awards, colleges and a variety of workplaces, when the project finished runner-up in evaluation found that men who have including local councils, power stations the highly competitive Public Mental gone through the project have not only and construction sites to help support Health and Wellbeing award category. gained a better understanding of tools men improve and maintain their own and techniques to improve their own This showpiece event gave Ofoad a mental fitness. mental fitness, become more resilient national platform to shout about the and more able to handle setbacks Men who have attended the free fantastic work that has been done in co- and challenges, and improved their 10-fixture programme have heard from designing the project alongside the same current and former Rugby League players, men it aims to support, with particular relationships at home, they have also coaches and ofcials, who have talked focus given to the way Ofoad is breaking developed stronger and bigger support about the mental fitness challenges they down barriers to hard-to-reach men by networks and had the opportunity to give encountered both during their career and using non-clinical, relatable language to back to the project to help it’s growth and in retirement. A strong focus has been help men break down the stigma around development.” topics such as resilience, anger and stress mental health. “This could be seen with the fantastic support Ofoad participants gave both Ofoad at Widnes Rugby League Cares and the Movember Foundation for the ManVan project, with many of the current participants helping to raise awareness of men’s health at some of the sport’s biggest events and support the continuing relationship between Rugby League Cares and Movember.

“Despite the amazing work done across the project, we still recognise there is a massive amount of work to do, to help support the promotion of positive mental fitness in some of Rugby League’s core areas, and through the support of Big Lottery and other partner organisations, we are looking forward to continuing the Ofoad story.”

36 [email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares

CASE STUDY DAVE BIRD ADMITS HE FELT SCEPTICAL ON FIRST HEARING ABOUT OFFLOAD, THE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL MEN’S MENTAL FITNESS AND WELLBEING PROGRAMME RUN BY RUGBY LEAGUE CARES AND DELIVERED BY THE CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS AT THREE RUGBY LEAGUE CLUBS IN THE NORTH WEST. Previous experience had taught Dave not to “I may not be a rugby fan but I found myself have too high an expectation of workplace-led relating to so much of what I heard from people health schemes, some of which often seem to like Paul and Ian,” he said. be little more than box-ticking exercises by well- “It wasn’t prescriptive at all, and at no time did I meaning employers. feel I was being lectured or preached to: instead, But after just one Ofoad ‘fixture’, the 36-year- it was just like being down the pub with a mate. old Communications Ofcer with Salford City Council found himself won over by an initiative FEW OF US WERE RUGBY FANS that has since gone on to change his outlook on AND WE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO life forever. EXPECT: MY SCEPTICISM PROVED “Ofoad has made a big diference to my life and UNFOUNDED AS VERY QUICKLY I I’m a much better person because of it,” CAME TO REALISE HOW AMAZING said Dave. OFFLOAD IS “Salford Red Devils approached the Council and “I’ve picked up so many good techniques to asked if they could put on an Ofoad session for manage my mental health, techniques that will staf to see what impact it would have. last me a lifetime. “Few of us were rugby fans and we didn’t “The fact that Ofoad is aimed at a male know what to expect: my scepticism proved audience made it more relatable. The unfounded as very quickly I came to realise how information was delivered in a very blokey amazing Ofoad is.” manner, which went down very well. Dave had been diagnosed with depression in “Ofoad has made a lasting impression on me: his late teens and was prescribed a course of you don’t come out of it thinking you’re anti-depressants which did little to improve his changed for the better and forever, life, leaving him feeling ‘neither happy or sad, rather it’s a case of being armed just numb.’ He came of his medication after six with the tools you need to months and managed his depression as best he manage your own health. could until relationship issues prompted him to seek counselling. “I can now spot behaviour triggers and react “That worked for a while but pretty soon I accordingly: I also find slipped back into being a miserable sod,” said I don’t dwell on minor Dave. “In 2017, my daughter was born and that problems and stresses was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. which previously would have escalated in my own mind. “However, I had a difcult time adjusting to life as a parent and the stress that comes with “Through my a baby, which left me struggling to handle involvement with the ordinary pressures you face at work and Ofoad it feels like elsewhere. And then Ofoad came along.” a cloud has lifted. I’m now more Dave attended nine of the 10 Ofoad fixtures confident and delivered by Salford’s Paul Highton, former learning more referee and , the about myself on ex-Wigan, Castleford and Huddersfield prop, a daily basis.” and was surprised by how quickly his self- awareness changed.

[email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares 37 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares NEW Spring/Summer 2019 Deliciously UNEXPECTED COFFEE INFUSED BACON All our bacon is now infused with our Classico blend Espresso.

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CAC193024 NEW Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Deliciously UNEXPECTED OFFLOAD IN COFFEE THE WORKPLACE INFUSED BACON All our bacon is now infused with our Classico blend Espresso.

ON OCTOBER 28, ON THE BACK OF THE SUCCESS OF into their places of work to help their employees become healthier, happier OFFLOAD, RUGBY LEAGUE CARES MADE A SIGNIFICANT and more productive. ANNOUNCEMENT WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE “The experience of our presenters is OFFLOAD IN THE WORKPLACE PROGRAMME. helping staf build resilience, find a good work-life balance, challenge negative Throughout the two-year Big Lottery- productive due to poor mental health thinking and develop coping strategies funded pilot project, Rugby League at work; additional costs included for the pressures they face, both at work Cares, with the support of State of Mind absenteeism and staf turnover. and at home. Sport, Warrington Wolves, Widnes Vikings Within the six-fixture ofer, employers and Salford Red Devils, has helped over “I would like to congratulate companies are ofered the opportunity to choose six 1,000 men to build their own tools and like SSE and the Environment Agency for topics focusing on promoting positive techniques to build positive mental their enlightened attitude towards health mental fitness, including building fitness coping strategies. and wellbeing. resilience, maintaining mental fitness, Ofoad in the Workplace builds on that workplace stress and mindfulness. “We are looking forward to working success to take the project into ofces, with more organisations and delivering Delivered by former Rugby League factories and other places of work across Ofoad fixtures to their staf.” coaches, players and ofcials, presenters the UK. talk about their own mental fitness SSE were so impressed with the impact Mental fitness and wellbeing in the challenges during their career in some of of their Ofoad sessions that they made workplace have never been more the most a fantastic donation to RL Cares of important: life is getting tougher and highly stressful environments and discuss £5,770 from the proceeds of their charity the latest figures show that more than their own tools and techniques for golf day as a ‘thank you’ from their staf. three out of five employees dealing with these, helping employers If you are interested in Ofoad in in the UK have experienced mental and employees to promote positive the Workplace for your company, health issues due to work, or where work mental health in please contact Chris Rostron via was a related factor. the workplace. [email protected] In 2017, the impact of poor mental health Head of Rugby League Cares Chris in the workplace cost UK employers Rostron said: “It’s fantastic that major upwards of £42 billion. Over half the companies are recognising the work we Above: RL Cares Health Projects Manager Emma Goldsmith receives a cheque for £5,770 from SSE raised by the energy giants costs resulted from staf being less do and are now asking us to take Ofoad at their golf day.

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CAC193024 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019

HALL OF FAME THREE OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME of Fame and do so on behalf of my old team-mates. JOINED THE SPORT’S MOST EXCLUSIVE CLUB IN “Rugby League has opened many doors NOVEMBER WHEN ANDY GREGORY, DEREK TURNER for me and I owe it everything. AND JOHNNY WHITELEY MBE WERE INDUCTED INTO “I will take my Hall of Fame medal THE RUGBY LEAGUE HALL OF FAME. back to Hull and show the youngsters what can happen to a fishdock lad from On a fantastic night in the Banqueting “This accolade is the biggest I’ve ever Hessle Road if they apply themselves Suite at , Leeds, the three had and I’m so, so proud. It puts the icing and work hard. legends were elevated alongside the 25 on the cake for me. You can’t get bigger other members of the Hall of Fame at a than this.” “Hopefully, this medal will inspire some of dinner hosted by Rugby League Cares them to emulate Johnny Whiteley.” Johnny paid tribute to the team-mates at and sponsored by Ellis Rugby. Hull FC and Great Britain who had played The dinner also saw the presentation Johnny and Andy were surrounded by such an important role in his journey into of the Rugby League International their family and friends while Derek, the Hall of Fame. Federation Golden Boot to international who sadly passed away in July 2015, player of the year Tommy Makinson, the “To be inducted into the Rugby League was represented by his brother, Keith England and St Helens winger. Hall of Fame is absolutely magnificent but and niece, Janet Quinn, as they were I wouldn’t be here without the support The RLIF also awarded ‘Golden Caps’ to welcomed into the Hall of Fame by I received from the special players I had seven players who have made 50 or more fellow inductees Malcolm Reilly OBE, around me,” he said. international appearances: Great Britain Billy Boston MBE, Neil Fox MBE and Garry trio Adrian Morley, and Jim Schofield OBE. “I am just an individual who owes Sullivan; Australians , everything to the greatest team game and ; and Established in 1988, the Rugby League there is. I am honoured to join the Hall of New Zealand. Hall of Fame features the greatest professional rugby league players of all time. Each player must have a record of outstanding achievement at the very highest levels of the game; a reputation that transcends the era in which they played; and have made a contribution to the game that will last as long as rugby league is played. To be eligible for nomination to the RL Hall of Fame, players must have played professional rugby league in the UK for at least 10 years, and played their last professional match in the UK at least 10 years before the date of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Andy said: “This award means so much to me. I won almost everything at club level and was very fortunate to play alongside good players and under good coaches. “I played in six Ashes series against Australia and my one regret is that I didn’t win, as many other members of the Hall of Fame had done before me.

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ANDY GREGORY

If it were possible to clone the definitive, classic British scrum-half, the finished product would closely resemble Andy Gregory. For what a finished product he was.

Standing just 5ft 5in tall, Andy In 1986 Andy moved to his strode through his 15-year career hometown club to become a pivotal as a giant among men. He gained member of the most successful 26 caps for Great Britain, played in Wigan team of all time. He won six Ashes series against Australia, the Lance Todd Trophy in 1988 and toured as a Rugby League Lion on repeated the feat against his old club three occasions and graced the Warrington two years later during an famous Wembley turf a remarkable era when Wembley became Wigan’s nine times, never finishing on the second home. losing side. In the hallmark of a truly great player, Andy’s professional career began Andy revelled in the cut and thrust of DEREK TURNER at Widnes in 1980-81, a season the Test arena. which ended with him collecting His finest hour as a Lion came in the For a player who was written of as a Challenge Cup winners’ medal third Test of the 1988 tour, when a junior by Wakefield Trinity as being in the Chemics’ 18-9 victory over Great Britain upset the odds to stun neither good enough or big enough Hull KR. He was at scrum-half for Australia in Sydney, largely through to play for his home-town club, Derek Widnes again in the drawn Wembley the brilliance of Andy. ‘Rocky’ Turner did alright. final of 1982 and collected a second After a short spell at Leeds, Andy winners’ medal in 1984 before joining joined Salford in 1994 and became In an era where Rugby League was a Warrington. sport often played without compromise, coach the following year. Derek would establish a reputation as a hard man who commanded the respect of everyone he played with and against. After being rejected by Wakefield, Derek signed for Hull Kingston Rovers in 1951 as an 18-year-old centre, standing 5ft 11in JOHNNY WHITELEY tall and weighing 12st 4lbs. Rarely has so much power been captured within such Johnny Whiteley played all his club rugby in the black and white of Hull FC, an athletic frame. for whom he is regarded as the club’s greatest servant in its 153-year history. He joined in 1955 and over the next four years helped the club to Be it as a player, captain, coach or until his retirement in 1965, when he a Championship win, three Lancashire president, Johnny has never given succeeded as coach. Cups and two Lancashire League less than 100 per cent to the club he In 1956, he was appointed club Championship medals. grew up living in the shadow of as a captain and that season led Hull to young boy in West Hull. Derek pulled on a Trinity jersey for the Championship final success against first time in March 1959: the 28-16 win It says much about the nature of the Halifax at , Manchester. at Batley would prove to be the start of a man that in Yorkshire’s most divided Having been a non-playing member golden era in Wakefield’s proud history. city, Johnny commands respect on of Great Britain’s 1954 World Cup both sides of the , having Over the next five years, Derek steered squad, Johnny made his Test debut coached Hull Kingston Rovers for the club to seven trophy wins in 1957 in a 31-6 World Cup defeat two years from 1970, the year he and established a reputation as one of the to Australia at the Sydney led Great Britain to what remains game’s greatest-ever leaders. Ground, where he played much of their last Ashes series victory over the match at centre. The loose forward was named vice- Australia. captain of -winning Great Britain He played in all three Ashes Tests of Johnny made 15 appearances for tour team of 1962, five years after making the 1958 tour, including the famous Great Britain, most at loose forward his tour debut in the 1957 World Cup. Battle of Brisbane where captain where he faced stif competition led the Lions to victory Derek set himself high standards and for selection from his fellow Hall of by playing on with a broken arm. expected those around him to meet Fame members Derek Turner and Johnny was a try-scorer in the third them, too: with Derek at the helm, Vince Karalius. Test decider as Great Britain clinched Wakefield took few prisoners and lit up He enjoyed that special quality the series 40-17. the game with both flair and brute force. possessed by so many great He was a key figure in Great He made 24 appearances for Great players, that of timing. As well as Britain’s last home Ashes series win Britain, including 11 successive Tests a phenomenal workrate, Johnny in 1959, scoring a try and playing at loose forward after making his debut was a ball-handling loose forward an influential role as in the series- in the second Test versus the 1956 of the highest order and a man clinching 11-10 second Test victory. Kangaroos. whose game management was Back at home, Johnny led Hull Derek Turner retired in 1966 and left simply peerless. FC to Wembley finals in both 1959 Wakefield two years later to begin Johnny made his debut for Hull and 1960. a successful coaching career with in 1950 and went on to play more He was awarded an MBE for service Castleford and Leeds. than 400 games for the Airlie Birds to Rugby League in 2005. He sadly passed away on July 31, 2015. He was 82.

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RUGBY LEAGUE CARES For the players. For the game.

01942 408 521 | [email protected]

42 [email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares RIGI’S E RLE SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2013, RUGBY LEAGUE CARES HAS A SPECIFIC REMIT TO PRESERVE, CHAMPION AND MAKE ACCESSIBLE THE HISTORY OF THE GAME. Housed in Heritage Quay at the University of Huddersfield, the archives and key collections of the sport document and bring to life Rugby League since 1895. In the past few years, activities have included a touring exhibition seen by over 50,000 people, a play ‘It’s in the Blood!’, oral history interviews, archive events, the acquisition of the Nigel Wood Collection (see page 25) and the support of several other heritage projects that are going on all over the Rugby League heartlands. But as of October last year, a diferent RUGBY LEAGUE IS A SPORT THAT IS PROUD OF ITS type of activity has commenced, looking HISTORY AND MOST CLUBS HAVE RUN SOME FORM into the impact that engaging in heritage OF HERITAGE PROJECT OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS projects has on individuals, communities AND THIS ACTIVITY HAS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO and societies. IMPACT POSITIVELY ON PEOPLE’S LIVES Brigid Power, Heritage Manager at Rugby League Cares, has been given the group became tighter and have created reputation for successfully running and opportunity to undertake a PhD looking some fantastic resources for use in the implementing heritage projects. into just that. community – in care homes and in schools. “Brigid brings great experience with her A unique partnership between RL Cares from the sector and this will only add to and the International Centre for Sports This is an under-developed area of her research. Her work will also open up History and Culture at De Montford research and it is difcult to attach new ways in which museums can not University will look in depth into all the value to heritage. The PhD will attempt only become repositories of the past heritage projects linked to Rugby League to redress this and could have wide through their exhibitions, but also assets and analyse what benefit they bring to implications for funding and policy. If for their local communities. their communities in the North. engaging in sporting heritage can prove that it can contribute to well-being and “Sport is the national obsession. It is one “So much research has been undertaken combatting social isolation, there may be of the few activities that can bring people into the power of museums, their use as a more funds available for continuing this together from a wide range of social way to connect their communities and as important work.” backgrounds. a force for social good,” said Brigid. Brigid is supervised by Dr Neil Carter at “Museums can change lives and Brigid’s “But very little research has gone on into ICSHC and Prof Tony Collins, a Rugby research on the role of Britain’s sporting looking at sports heritage, in particular League historian and a former trustee of heritage will ultimately ofer great scope Rugby League. Rugby League is a sport RL Cares. for how these institutions can engage that is proud of its history and most clubs with their communities on the widest have run some form of heritage project Dr Carter said: “De Montfort University’s possible basis, not just in terms of culture, over the last 20 years and this activity has International Centre for Sports History but also through their ability to enable RUGBY LEAGUE CARES a real opportunity to impact positively on and Culture is delighted to be working in social inclusion and for the improvement people’s lives.” collaboration with Rugby League Cares of health and well-being.” on this project. For the players. For the game. The Tigers Trust heritage project is a great example of this activity. Started in 2015, “The study of sports heritage is a the project brought together a group of bourgeoning area and Brigid’s PhD will As part of her research, Brigid is volunteers to create a virtual museum make an original contribution to our interested in talking to anyone who has 01942 408 521 | [email protected] to preserve the heritage of Castleford knowledge of its understanding and build run a Rugby League heritage project, so Tigers. As the project progressed, the on Rugby League Cares’s long-standing please get in touch!

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TEN YEARS AFTER COMPLETED A challenge he took on. I have a lot of work to do on strengthening my legs, GRUELLING JOURNEY FROM PERPIGNAN TO WEMBLEY, improving my cycling and learning how TAYLOR PRESCOTT IS SET TO FOLLOW IN HIS FATHER’S to paddle in a dragon boat - but I am FOOTSTEPS IN AUGUST BY REPLICATING THE MADCAP looking forward to that challenge. 900-MILE CHALLENGE. “I would like to thank everyone involved with the Coral Challenge Cup for The 17-year-old will be one of up to “I am honoured to be in a position to allowing me to take to the Wembley 30 heroic participants in a copycat continue my dad’s legacy,” said Taylor. pitch and place the matchball.” adventure of the one that set the tone “My dad was passionate about everything Steve Prescott MBE was diagnosed for the amazing fundraising exploits of he did and the charity was extremely with a rare abdominal cancer, Steve Prescott and the foundation set up important to him. I have seen my mum pseudomyxoma peritonei in 2006 and in his name. and incredible supporters of the charity formed the Steve Prescott Foundation in Taylor will be joined by some of the same continue the great work and helping 2007 to raise funds for, and awareness familiar faces who rode, rowed and ran those less fortunate - and I want to do of, the RFL Benevolent Fund and The with his dad in 2009 – including Steve’s my bit. Christie in Manchester. former St Helens team-mates Chris Steve undertook many physically Joynt and Chris Smith. and mentally exhausting challenges Two former players who sufered during his illness to raise funds and life-changing spinal injuries playing awareness of the charities close to his Rugby League, and who continue to heart. In October 2013, he underwent be supported by the RL Benevolent a pioneering multi visceral transplant Fund, Pete Stephenson and Jimmy of the small bowel, pancreas, stomach, Gittins, are also taking part in Challenge duodenum and abdominal wall at the Wembley 2019.’ Churchill Hospital, Oxford and although this procedure eradicated the cancer, The challenge involves an 865-mile bike Steve passed away a few weeks later due ride from the south of France, followed to post-operation complications. by a punishing 26-mile journey up the River Thames from Windsor Castle to The Steve Prescott Foundation has Teddington Lock in a Dragon Boat and donated just short of £1.5m to the then a half- from RAF Uxbridge RFL Benevolent Fund and the Christie to Wembley on Saturday August 24th for Cancer Hospital in Manchester over the the Coral Challenge Cup final. last decade. Taylor will complete ‘Challenge Wembley A limited number of places on 2019’ by delivering the matchball Challenge Wembley 2019 are still and placing it down in time for kick- available: for more information, of – exactly as Steve did before the including details of how you can Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants “My dad told me the ‘Carnegie Challenge’ sponsor the participants, please visit final 10 years earlier. of 2009 was the hardest but best www.steveprescottfoundation.co.uk

[email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares 45 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019 1958 AND ALL THAT… RUGBY LEAGUE HISTORIAN TONY COLLINS REVEALS THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE 1958 LIONS TOUR

The 1958 Great Britain tour to Australia has gone down in history as one of the greatest Lions’ tours of all time. ‘Prescott’s Epic’, the second Test in Brisbane when an injury-ravaged British side defeated Australia, is the most heroic victory of the post-War era. It was a tour where immortals such as Alex Murphy, Vince Karalius and Mick Sullivan emerged on the world stage. But behind the scenes, there was a monumental clash between the tour managers. A player rebellion broke out. And one man emerged as one of Rugby League’s most important administrators. The managers of the 1958 tour could not have been more diferent. Team manager Tom Mitchell, a farmer from Cumberland, had been a key figure in the formation of Town. He was the youngest of the tour ofcials, just 44, with a natural rapport with players. Bennett, ‘Barney’ Manson, Swinton’s representative on the RFL council, was the tour’s business manager. At 69 “There is too much boozing, too many years old, he was the oldest ofcial ever to take a team late nights,” the coach told the players Down Under. after they had lost the first Test 15-8 Coach had been one of the game’s great to Australia, an accusation strongly full-backs. Born in , he played union for England disputed by the players and Tom before signing for Leeds in 1925. When he retired, he Mitchell. coached Workington to Wembley, twice, and to a Manson also refused to allow players Championship final. to call him as anything other than Mr Manson. For the generation of players that had grown up in the post-War years, such formality was patronising and insulting. In contrast, Tom Mitchell was always ‘Tom’ to the players. On the New Zealand leg of the tour, the players passed a 1958 matchday vote of no confidence in Brough and Manson. programme When the tourists arrived home, the RFL held a commission of inquiry. Manson claimed that he and Brough had done nothing wrong and that their methods had led to a successful tour. When the inquiry reported in December 1958, it However, even before the tourists arrived in Australia, recommended that future tours should have only Mitchell and Manson fell out and barely spoke to each one manager. Manson was criticised for being other on the trip out. ‘contemptuous’ of players and severely reprimanded. Jim Brough had his tour bonus halved and would never Brough’s rigid training regime was very unpopular with coach at the highest levels again. players who had just finished a long club season. In contrast, Tom Mitchell was completely exonerated and Manson, despite only being the tour’s business manager, would be forever linked with the 1958 tour. He became began to send his opinions about the merits of players chairman of the RFL in 1961 and until his death in 1998 back to the RFL. Johnny Whiteley, Manson claimed, was was seen as one of the game’s visionaries. ‘a good player but not robust enough’ for Test football. Alex Murphy was ‘certainly not Test standard’. There was one final act in this drama. In February 1970, a motion was proposed to the RFL Council that Barney In fact, Manson was speaking for Jim Brough. Manson, now aged 80, should be made a life member of Unfortunately, relations between the coach and the Jim Brough (right) with fellow Lion the RFL. players became strained in Australia and got much worse Douglas Clarke in Sydney in 1936 on the New Zealand leg of the tour. The proposer was Tom Mitchell.

46 [email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares

WELSH CHARITABLES RFC HONOURS JONATHAN DAVIES THE STELLAR CAREER OF ONE OF THE GREATEST DUAL-CODE INTERNATIONALS OF ALL TIME WAS CELEBRATED IN FINE STYLE IN EARLY MAY WHEN JONATHAN DAVIES OBE WAS GUEST OF HONOUR AT A SPECIAL TRIBUTE DINNER IN CARDIFF.

Organised by the charity Welsh run by Norman Gale, the former Wales Charitables RFC, the dinner was attended . by over 350 guests, including John “Norman came across to us to say hello Devereux, , Rowland and bought us a pint. He asked if we’d Phillips, Adrian Hadley and Kevin Ellis, as come down to sign anyone and we said well as Jonathan and his family. of course not… The circumstances of Jonathan ‘going “He told us his son was now playing for North’ were regaled by guest speaker Jim and showed us a framed photo Mills, who turned his back on on the wall in the bar. by turning professional in 1965 and who went on to play almost 370 games of “I asked Norman if he was involved with Rugby League. Llanelli in any way and he informed us he was club chairman. I looked at Dougie, “I was on the board at Widnes at the time who took a deep drag on his cigarette Jonathan Davies OBE with his Welsh Charitables and Dougie rang me to say he’d spoke and said we had a long drive ahead of us to Jonathan on the phone and he was so we ought to make a move. Rugby League and it’s sad that those days considering signing,” recalled Jim. are now over,” said Jim. “We’d just signed Llanelli’s greatest player “I told him not to be daft: Jify was and their chairman had bought us a “When Widnes signed Jify we put a captain of Llanelli and Wales and there drink!” couple of thousand on our own gate and was no way he’d come North. But Dougie every time we played away there were being Dougie, he wouldn’t let it go. Jonathan is now a member of BBC hundreds of people who weren’t Rugby Sport’s commentary teams for both League fans turning up just to see him “They kept in contact on the phone and codes of rugby, which have reached an play. one day Dougie rang me again to ask if entente cordiale since union embraced I’d go down to Wales with him because open professionalism in 1995. “The top Wales players can earn far more Jonathan was ready to put pen to paper. by staying in union now. However, the That move has seen the tide of talent Wales RL are doing a fine job and there “I still didn’t believe it but I went anyway. from the Welsh valleys into Rugby League are now more league clubs and players in We sat with Jify for an hour and a half all but dry up, a situation that Jim feels Wales than there have ever been. and he signed. Wow! has left the sport poorer. “It’s good that the two codes get on “Me and Dougie left and decided to stop “Throughout its history, Wales players so well now. I’m proud to be a Vice- of for a beer at a local pub, which was have played a huge part in the story of President of the Welsh Charitables, who do some fantastic work raising fund for charities like RL Cares.” The dinner in tribute to Jonathan Davies follows another hugely successful event in 2017 celebrating the career of RL Hall of Fame member Billy Boston, which raised over £3,000 for RL Cares. “We have raised more than £180,000 for various charities since we were re-formed in 2000 and are delighted to help RL Cares,” said David Power, the Honorary Secretary of the Welsh Charitables. For more information on the generous fundraising activities of the Welsh Charitables please visit Guests at the Welsh Charitables RFC dinner www.welshcharitablesrfc.com’

[email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares 47 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019 2019 THE RUGBY LEAGUE FAMILY ONCE AGAIN PUT ITS BEST FOOT FORWARD TO RAISE AN AMAZING AMOUNT Above: Ben Allen

OF MONEY FOR GREAT CAUSES WITH SOME TRULY Right Oliver Roby HEROIC FEATS IN THE 2019 LONDON MARATHON. TWO MEMBERS OF STAFF FROM Former Great Britain captain Jamie “I’ve never had hamstring cramp like it,” THE RUGBY FOOTBALL LEAGUE Peacock MBE completed the gruelling said the former Leeds Rhinos and Great TOGETHER RAISED MORE THAN 26 miles and 385-yard course through Britain centre. “I was going well until the £1,000 FOR RUGBY LEAGUE the capital’s streets in an impressive halfway mark and then it struck. CARES AFTER SECURING three hours and 35 minutes on behalf PLACES IN THE LONDON “London is such a great event that it drags of the Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in MARATHON WITH THE me back and I am going to try to do Leeds. GOVERNING BODY’S SUPPORT. them until I’m 50, which means there are Jamie’s father, Darryl spent a lot of time at hopefully seven more left for me.” Ben Allen, a Data Analyst with the hospice prior to his death from lung England Rugby League, ran Ann-Marie Barrow, the wife of ex-Oldham cancer in September 2013, prompting his the marathon in four hours, 30 and Swinton player Tony Barrow Jnr, who son to do his dad proud by raising over minutes and 10 seconds to raise £3,500 for the hospice. died aged 45 in 2017, ran the marathon in £835 for RL Cares. 4:51.37 and raised more than £7,000 for “Given the amount of pain my dad Brain Tumour Research. “It was a brilliant day and went through with his cancer and he something I’ll never, ever forget,” didn’t moan once, the marathon was said Ben, who only found out he one of the closest acts I could put was running four months before myself through to walk one footstep on taking his place at the start. the difcult journey he went on before passing away,” said Jamie. “I wasn’t in terrible shape but I’m not a runner and it took a lot of are adept at finding a hard work to get ready for it. participant’s weak spot, as RL Cares’s Player Support Ofcer Keith Senior “The crowds were just amazing. found out! On the last few miles when your body is telling you to Keith was representing the Laura Crane stop, the crowds were 10- Youth Cancer Trust in his sixth marathon deep on the Embankment and recorded a time of 4:31.53, much of and roaring everyone on with which saw him have to run through the encouragement. pain barrier. “I’d love to do it again and it was a privilege to run the marathon for RL Cares.” Communications Ofcer Oliver Ann-Marie Barrow Roby described his experience in the marathon simply as “mad” “The marathon was an incredibly tough after crossing the finishing line in challenge but I was determined to a time of 4:54.29. the finish line for Tony and I was thinking about him every step of the way,” said “I have no idea how I managed it, Ann-Marie, a 36-year-old mother of two to be honest!” added Oliver. from Windle. Please show your support for Simon Brindle, the Rugby Football Ben and Oliver by donating to League’s Content and Resource Lead, put their Justgiving pages: in a time of 4:05.34 and raised £700 for the Oddballs Foundation, while former www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/ben-allen-rfl RFL Events Executive Sophie Macnay and www.justgiving.com/ raised over £600 for the Movember fundraising/oliver-roby Foundation, completing her first London MBE and Keith Senior Marathon in 6:19.34.

48 [email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares Spring/Summer 2019 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares

Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor with Lizzie at the Waterhead ARLFC screening session Danny Jones DANNY JONES DEFIBRILLATOR FUND THE DANNY JONES DEFIBRILLATOR FUND CONTINUES “We would also like to do more screening to help save lives. Screening is painless TO MAKE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF and provides peace of mind for all players PEOPLE INVOLVED AT ALL LEVELS OF RUGBY LEAGUE – and their families.” AND IS NOW TAKING ITS BRILLIANT WORK INTO All the players at Bradford-based amateur OTHER SPORTS. club Birkenshaw Bulldogs following the death of 32-year-old player Max Blakeley, The fund, set up in the aftermath of the The fund has so far raised £90,000 and who collapsed playing against Heworth tragic death of Cougars and has extended its work to help meet the last July. Wales half-back Danny Jones in May cost of cardiac screening sessions for Twelve months earlier, tragedy also struck 2015, has installed more than 80 life- community clubs and other groups within at club Culcheth saving defibrillators in community Rugby the sport. Eagles when 31-year-old Adam Cooper League clubs over the last four years. collapsed and died from a previously So far, screening has taken place at Wath undetected heart condition. In addition, almost 500 players of all Brow Hornets, Leigh East and Waterhead, ages have undergone cardiac screening with further sessions taking place at In 2015, 43-year-old David Batchelor through the fund, with further sessions Thatto Heath and in Hull this summer. died after playing in a Masters fixture at scheduled to take place over the next Oulton near Leeds, again from a cardiac “There continues to be a strong few months. condition that would probably have demand for defibrillators and I would urge been revealed had he gone through the The success of the ‘DJ Defib Fund’ has anyone with a club that hasn’t yet got screening process. not gone unnoticed across the country one to get in touch,” added Lizzie. “Full and over the summer cricket clubs training is provided with every defibrillator Since that tragedy, a defibrillator has been throughout the UK will be fundraising, we supply. present at every Masters game. with the support of Danny’s wife, Lizzie, to help village cricket teams purchase Masters Rugby League are great their own defibrillators. supporters of the sport’s charities, including RL Cares, the RL Benevolent “I am going to be performing at a couple Fund and the DJ Defib Fund, all of whom of T-20 matches at Trent Bridge to help require more funds to keep doing what them raise awareness of the importance they do so well. of having a defibrillator,” explained Lizzie. Lizzie’s next big fundraiser is the 2019 “Cricket have taken a lot of interest Danny Jones Defibrillator Ball, which in what we have achieved and have takes place at Emerald Headingley asked us for advice. It’s fantastic that Stadium on Saturday September 14. more and more people are taking this For more details please visit www. issue so seriously.” dannyjonesdefibfund.co.uk Any funds raised to install defibrillators in If you would like to make a donation to cricket clubs, village halls and schools will the Danny Jones Defibrillator be kept separate from the main DJ Defib Fund please visit Fund, whose focus remains very much on www.justgiving.com/fundraising/danny- Rugby League. and his family jones-defibrillator-fund

[email protected] rugbyleaguecares.org /RugbyLeagueCares /rlcares 49 The Ofcial Magazine of Rugby League Cares Spring/Summer 2019 MEET THE TEAM

CHRIS ROSTRON EMMA ROSEWARNE STEVE McCORMACK HEAD OF RL CARES HEAD OF WELFARE TRANSITION MANAGER [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

JULIE MEASURES KEITH SENIOR TRACEY BARR CAREER COACH PLAYER SUPPORT OFFICER OPERATIONS & EVENTS MANAGER [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

EMMA GOLDSMITH LIAM PARKER BRIGID POWER HEALTH PROGRAMME MANAGER HEALTH MANAGER HERITAGE PROGRAMME MANAGER [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

JOHN LEDGER SARAH ELSTON MEDIA & CULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER PROGRAMME MANAGER [email protected] [email protected]

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