When the Rugby League World Cup comes to England in October and November 2021, the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions will take place simultaneously for the first time in the tournament’s history, making it one of the most inclusive sporting events ever. The men’s and women’s competitions will culminate in a showpiece double-header final at the English home of Rugby League, Old Trafford. Both disciplines will be showcased, in one of the world’s most elite venues in front of a huge crowd - a huge step forward for the women’s game.
Jodie Cunningham
It doesn’t stop there however, the women’s tournament’s opening fixture will take place at the historic Anfield stadium with a capacity of over 54,000, while wheelchair fixtures will be played in world-class venues including the famous 7,500-seater Copperbox arena in London’s Olympic Park and Liverpool’s 11,000-seater M&S Bank Arena. RLWC2021 will give the women’s and wheelchair disciplines an unrivalled platform, introduce more people to the game and inspire a whole new generation of rugby league fans.
The beauty of tournaments running simultaneously is the opportunity to cross-pollinate fanbases, those who engage with the men’s tournament will find themselves in contact with the other disciplines in the same way that fans of disability sports and women’s sports will come to the tournament and find themselves engaging with all three disciplines. No matter how fans arrive at RLWC2021, there will be something new for them to be introduced to and engage with – this tournament will be fantastic for all three disciplines.
As an England international and Women’s Super League player for St Helens, I am incredibly proud of how far the women’s game has come in recent years. I first played the sport aged 12 at high school. I had played lots of different sports, but it wasn’t until I first tried my hand at rugby league that I found the one thing that made me tick. The timing was perfect for me, my school had inaugurated the Champions Schools Tournament the year before, creating the perfect platform for me. My classmates and I revelled in it and the rest, as they say, is history.
I am now lucky enough to be working with RLWC2021 as the ambassador of the women’s tournament and RLWC2021’s legacy programme, InspirationALL. It is my full-time role to work as part of the tournament’s legacy team to deliver £10 million of funding to stimulate the sport’s grassroots. It is integral to the tournament’s success that it leaves a lasting impact on participation across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair disciplines, not only across England, but burgeoning rugby league nations all over the world.
Applications for grants have been open since October 2018, for local clubs and community projects to create a positive impact. £9 million will be allocated to large-scale requests costing more than £15,000, with the remaining £1 million being granted to smaller-scale projects.
The first large grants are now underway with Salford City Roosters’ new clubhouse set to begin development imminently, meaning the club will be able to generate its own revenue through functions and can offer a modern and welcoming environment to increase its capacity. Shevington RLFC in Wigan has also received funding to improve its infrastructure, increase capacity and maintain its participation levels. Without this funding, both clubs were facing existential threats and it’s fantastic to see them gearing up their activity in the knowledge the funding and facilities will be there for them to rely on for years to come.
As well as these large-scale funding projects, InspirationALL is making a difference with smaller scale projects, increasing club’s capacity and making for more welcoming environments to encourage new players to join up and current players to continue. I was lucky enough to visit my old school, where it all began for me, to launch the first ever RLWC2021 InspirationALL funding in February.
Cardinal Newman Catholic High School in Warrington received a grant for new equipment, kit and goal posts to facilitate an increased programme of training and competition. The funding has improved the school’s capacity for rugby league, with a particular emphasis on the women’s game, to whole new levels and it was fantastic to see the effect of the funding with my own eyes in a place that means so much to me. Five other projects were also announced in the first round of small grants funding, which will increase participation up and down the country… and we’re still over two-years away from kick-off.
I believe sport is at the heart of our communities, and I believe there is no greater sport than rugby league. I’m very proud to be working with RLWC2021. With inclusivity at its heart the tournament can build a genuine legacy within the sport’s grassroots and send a message across all sports that sharing a platform is beneficial for all disciplines.
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