Memorandum by the Rugby Football League
(HON 93)
I write in support of the submission by the
All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group (APPRLG), a copy of
which I have seen. The comments made by the APPRLG are most certainly
supported by the Rugby Football League (RFL). I thought it may
be of some assistance if I gave the Select Committee a few facts
and figures regarding Rugby League:
— During the 28 weeks of Super League,
the average attendance is over 60,000 spectators per week. The
Grand Final of the Super League attracted a sell out attendance
of 65,000 spectators at Old Trafford in 2003. Rugby League is
the only sport apart from Football to play at Old Trafford.
— The Rugby League Challenge Cup Final
is a listed event in the Voluntary TV Code, along with events
such as the Olympics, FA Cup Final and Wimbledon Finals.
— TV broadcasts over 800 hours of Rugby
League each year. The BBC is primary broadcaster of the Challenge
Cup and also shows national highlights of Super League and International
games. More than 10 million people watch Rugby League on TV each
year.
— Over 400 clubs are registered to
the RFL through the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA)
representing 19,000 regular team players.
— Rugby League clubs frequently win
community awards. Within the last two weeks Rugby League has won
two community awards; a BARLA club was runner-up in the Club of
the Year competition organised by the Central Council of Physical
Recreation and the award was presented by His Royal Highness Prince
Phillip; Warrington Wolves, a professional Super League club,
fought off stiff opposition to win the prestigious community award
at the National Sports Industry Awards. Last year the RFL was
the first governing body of sport to win the National Sportsmatch
Community Award.
— Rugby League is a top ten priority
sport for Sport England.
— Rugby League is always listed as
one of the top ten sports in Britain almost regardless of the
measurement criteria being used.
I have met with officials at the DCMS and they
have confirmed that the paperwork accompanying Rugby League nominations
are of the highest order. They also confirmed that the type of
people we were nominating were highly appropriate. For information,
current nominees in the system are:
Andy Farrell—Great Britain Captain
since 1993 when he scored a try on his debut at the age of 17
against New Zealand. Andy is always readily available to promote
the sport at all times.
Frank Myler—former
Widnes and International player, Great Britain Coach in 1984 and
still involved in the game.
Bev Risman—former
all-time great player, extensive contribution to amateur and developmental
Rugby League.
Tommy Sale—stalwart
contributor to the sport since becoming a player in 1938. He assisted
with the plans for the building of a new stadium for Leigh and
volunteers to help with schoolboy rugby following his retirement
as a Headteacher in 1982.
Harold Swift—served
community rugby league for over 40 years through the British Amateur
Rugby League Association.
I trust the Select Committee finds the information
provided to be helpful.
Richard Lewis
Executive Chairman
May 2004
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