The new head of English rugby league has backed a call for government funding to support the sport's community growth. Former England international Jon Wilkin has appealed directly to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to pledge government money for a rugby league-based social impact project. Ian Nolan, the new chief executive of the Rugby Football League, has supported Wilkin's plea, issued on BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday.
Wilkin wants Burnham and Nandy to follow the lead of Australia's government, which committed A$250m (£130m) over 10 years to the Pacific Rugby League Partnership. That initiative helps create sporting, educational and employment opportunities in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. Wilkin argues a similar plan for the north of England would benefit deprived communities.
He asked: "Why shouldn't Britain show the same ambition for the north?" The ask is a £30m five-year Northern Rugby League social impact partnership between the RFL, professional clubs, community foundations, local authorities and government departments. Nolan, a former Manchester United executive, suggested benefits would be felt quickly because rugby league clubs are already established in deprived towns. He said: "People already go there.
Families already rely on them." BBC Sport has contacted the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for comment. Nolan announced the RFL will consult greats to map out a future under an initiative called One Game, One England. England's men and women both exited the Rugby League World Cup at the group stage, the first time neither team reached the final four.
Wilkin has been critical of the set-up, arguing an overcrowded Super League calendar hindered England's performance. Nolan is seeking ways to give domestic players higher quality fixtures, potentially in the style of the International Origin series or the War of the Roses.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing