Halifax Wheelchair Rugby League Club handed £11,000 grant

The grant, which has been awarded to help more people play rugby league at grassroots level in the Calderdale area, will fund the club’s ‘new player’ recruitment drive.

Delivered in partnership between RLWC2021, the sport’s national governing body, the Rugby Football League, Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the CreatedBy programme is a funding pot of up to £10 million made available by the government to support the legacy of the Rugby League World Cup by growing participation in the sport.

The club will increase its stock of Sports Wheelchairs and playing equipment to enable growth amongst junior and first time participants.

As government guidelines start to allow a return to activity, our volunteer community coaches will be using the new equipment to inspire new participants, by delivering extra training capacity at club training sessions and match play, alongside delivery of activity within local schools to introduce the game to new audiences with the hope they will want to participate in future.

Malcolm Kielty MBE, Treasurer and founder of Halifax Wheelchair RLC, said: “As a club we are so honoured to be one of the recipients of this funding.

“As a relatively new element of the Rugby League ‘family’, Wheelchair Rugby League has already inspired many to play what is a unique integrated sport with several international players emanating from our local area culminating in Jack Brown crowned Golden Boot player of the world.

“We now aim to inspire the next generation of participants within this inclusive format of the game and help develop our player pathway to assist each individual to realise their ambition, notwithstanding enjoying every moment of their participation.”

Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, RLWC2021, said: “The CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme is focused on ensuring the next generation of rugby league players have the best possible experience and barriers to participate are removed.

“We are delighted to award this grant to Halifax Wheelchair RLC and look forward to seeing the results of this investment that aims to deliver real change in their community.”

Ralph Rimmer, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “Hosting the Rugby League World Cup in 2021 offers so many opportunities for everyone involved in the game in this country and beyond, and the facilities that will be delivered by the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme will be a big part of that transformation. The RFL are proud to be involved in that process, and we congratulate all the successful applicants - and look forward to the impact of this unprecedented level of investment in the game for years to come.”

Charles Johnston, Property Director, Sport England, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership to deliver the biggest government investment into grassroots rugby league facilities the country has ever seen. With this funding, communities will gain better access to the facilities, improved infrastructure and essential equipment they need to be active. We are pleased the investment will provide benefit to people engaging in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair game, with a focus on those disadvantaged areas where inactivity levels are stubbornly high. By focusing our efforts on increasing participation in the game, we’re ensuring that the Rugby League World Cup’s legacy lasts long after the last ball has been kicked and the crowds have gone home.”

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 will kick off on 23 October 2021, with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions taking place simultaneously, under one tournament banner for the first time.

Clubs, organisations and communities that run rugby league activities are encouraged to apply for this legacy funding by visiting ww.rlwc2021.com/facilities. For further information visit their official social media channels, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.