IN LEAGUE TOGETHER newsletter ISSUE 10 | AUG 2010 Julie Gaskell new Widnes Vikings Chief Executive We need your ideas for LGBT history Month For the first time the theme for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) history month in February 2011 and February 2012 will be sport. Recently there has been a great deal of media coverage on the importance of tackling homophobia in sport, particularly since Crusaders player Gareth Thomas publically ‘came out’ as gay. Widnes Vikings have announced the appointment of Julie Gaskell as its new chief executive after Alex Bonney decided The RFL has been widely recognised as a governing body to step down. Widnes Vikings Chairman Steve O’Connor that is committed to tackling homophobia and ensuring said: our sport is welcoming and inclusive of LGBT people. RFL Julie has an excellent commercial background in this remains the only national Governing Body of Sport to join region and I am confident that she will build on the strong the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme and to set foundations that we have laid since 2007. I believe that up an LGBT network for LGBT staff, players, coaches, Julie has the energy, enthusiasm and expertise to manage the club over the coming crucial period to its full potential.” match officials and club staff and volunteers. Consequently Julie Gaskell said “ It is a very exciting challenge for me and we have been asked to lead the working group of National I am really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve Governing Bodies to generate some ideas about how sports together at Widnes Vikings.” can work together to raise the profile of LGBT people and Julie joins a growing number of women in senior roles the importance of tackling homophobia in sport within our clubs; Karen Heighton company secretary of Barrow Raiders, Karen Bailey Chairperson of Doncaster If you have any ideas or suggestions on a small or grand RLFC , Kath Hetherington Chairperson Hull FC, Diane scale please contact Sarah on [email protected]. If Maskill Chief Executive of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, you want to find out more about LGBT history month please June Kennedy Chief Executive Workington Town RLFC visit www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk Jamaica Rugby League Jamaica’s national Reaching out to Jamaican and West Indian communities side will continue their in the UK preparations for the In order to coordinate the Jamaican and West Indies Rugby World Cup qualification league development in the UK and Jamaican National team campaign with a game it was decided that forming a steering group would be of against the Great benefit. At the moment the steering group has links with Britain Community Jamaican and West Indian communities in Chapeltown Leeds, Lions at the John Charles Centre for Sport in South Leeds. Sheffield, Oldham, London and South West. Please contact The game is part of a two week tour which will also see Jamaica the group via [email protected]; take part in the Carnegie Floodlit 9s where the side will compete • your club already has links with the Jamaican and West against fellow international sides Wales and Scotland, plus Indian communities eight Engage Super League clubs and Northern Rail 9s winners Halifax. • You know there is a significant West Indian community in your area and you would like help bringing Rugby league to The Jamaican squad will comprise ten domestic based players these communities and seven from the UK and JRLA Development Officer Romeo Monteith believes the experience will have a positive impact on • If you are from a West Indian background and would like to his country’s domestic game. find out more or get involved with Rugby league. P1 newsletter ISSUE 10 | AUG 2010 Hull FC Wheelchair Rugby League ‘Come Try It’ Success This summer, Hull FC joined forces with the Humber Sports league competitively again. I think wheelchair rugby league is a Partnership, the FDSO, Hull City Council and the RFL to hold great sport and is something I will support fully.” a Wheelchair Rugby League ‘Come Try it’ session at the The session proved so popular, the Black and Whites were Bonus Arena. invited to team up with Hull City Council’s Motiv8 programme It was an opportunity for anyone with an interest in Rugby to deliver further wheelchair rugby league sessions throughout League to have a go at the sport as well as provide an summer. Motiv8 is a multi sports programme for people with opportunity for disabled people to get involved in a new sport. disabilities and Hull FC foundation team have been supporting Wheelchair Rugby League is open to both disabled and non- this by providing access to rugby league. These sessions have disabled participants creating an inclusive sport for everyone to been taking place throughout the month of August on a Friday enjoy and participate in. afternoon 2-4pm at the Bonus arena. Hull FC were pleased to see a good turn out on the day from They will then culminate in another ‘try it’ wheelchair rugby people of all ages and abilities supporting the sport. One of the league session at the bonus arena on the 3rd of September participants was Bobby Hutton who suffered a broken neck between 5-7pm. We are also hoping to get established whilst playing rugby league for South London Storm. Bobby, Wheelchair Rugby League teams to attend the event to give from Hull, was left with permanent nerve damage resulting in a spectators an exhibition match to encourage participation disability. Bobby said, “Rugby League is the greatest sport in the in Hull. world and has been a massive part of my life as a player and a spectator. My playing career was ended prematurely due to my If anyone wants to know more about masters, tag/ touch or injury but after today I feel there are opportunities to play rugby wheelchair rugby league, please email [email protected] What do young Muslims think of Rugby league? Earlier this year the RFL, in partnership with Sporting Equals, conducted a research project with young Muslims from Leeds, Bradford, Oldham and Huddersfield looking at their perceptions and experiences of Rugby League. The final report with a comprehensive range of recommendations that could be invaluable for both the RFL and clubs in engaging more successfully with young Asian people will be available following the launch event in Huddersfield, If you would like a hard copy please contact Sarah. [email protected] P2 newsletter ISSUE 10 | AUG 2010 SPOrt LIGHT Audio Equipment for On this occasion the ‘sportlight’ is on the Visually Impaired at the achievements of a number of individuals who have undertaken their Level 1 coaching Grattan Stadium. qualifications Bradford Bulls announce that thanks to the generous donation Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) coaching course from several parties, the Trevor Foster See Through Sound Audio Commentary system is now installed at the Grattan Stadium. Earlier this year a number of participants from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) background completed their level 1 coaching The equipment allows visually impaired supporters to listen to course and are now successfully coaching in their local areas a special commentary of all games at the stadium whilst sitting and helping to bring rugby league to communities that may have with friends and family rather than having to be in a designated not had the opportunity previously. Saif Ali is now coaching at St Josephs ARLFC in Huddersfield and is being mentored by club area. Audio commentary is already in use at other Rugby League coach Burt Mackay. Both Burt and Saif have enjoyed working venues such as Huddersfield Giants; Hull KR; Leeds Rhinos; St together and hope this will lead to more Asian young people Helens; Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors. getting involved with St Josephs. Gill Johnson, the Chairperson of the Rugby League Disabled Supporters Association, herself a Bulls supporter said today: Luke Bryan “I am delighted to know that the Bradford Bulls have the Luke Bryan, aged 17, was left paralyzed equipment and volunteers needed to launch the Trevor Foster from the neck down after an accident See Through Sound Audio Commentary system. “ playing rugby for his home town club Haydock. Luke had represented The Bradford Bulls Disabled Supporters Group and the Rugby Lancashire as a schoolboy and was a League Disabled Supporters Association would like to thank the very talented young prospect. At the Trevor Foster Memorial Fund, the Bradford Players Association, age of 30 Luke wanted to get back the Great Britain Rugby League Lions Association and of course involved in the game he loves and the Bradford Bulls supporters for making this possible by kindly after a conversation with Sky Sports Phil Clarke. Following consultation with the Federation of Disability sport and the donating the funds to purchase the equipment.” awarding body 1st4sport qualifications, Arvinder Kaur RFL Bradford Bulls Media Manager Stuart Duffy said: coaching department, contacted Luke and they met to discuss Luke individual requirements and any appropriate “We are delighted that the system is now in place at the Grattan access arrangements which could be put in place. Luke then Stadium, Odsal. Anything that improves the facilities and worked closely with his mentor Craig Richards to complete Gameday Experience for the disabled supporters who visit the the pre course workbook and undertake all the practical and ground is a very worthwhile investment. We would like to thank written assessments of the course. In 2010 Luke successfully all those involved in making this possible.” completed his level 1 course and in July was presented with his certificate on the pitch at the Wigan V Warrington game.