Rugby league fans urged to follow the Wembley template

Todayโ€™sย fourth step in the UK Governmentโ€™s Covid roadmap allows for venues returning to full capacity, with no social distancing.ย 

That means another significant step back to normality for rugby league clubs and fans in this weekโ€™s fixtures, starting with the Betfred Womenโ€™s Super League match between York City Knights and Wigan Warriors at Odsal tonight โ€“ and continuing through the Betfred Super League, Championship, League 1 and the Community Game.ย 

Throughout the pandemic, the RFL has been working closely with Government and with clubs and other stakeholders โ€“ and that has continued in the preparations for Stage 4.ย 

Karen Moorhouse, the RFLโ€™s Chief Regulatory Officer, said:ย โ€œThis week is another big step back to normality for our clubs and fans,ย and it comes at aย positiveย time for the sport as we reflect on the success ofย the weekend at Wembley.ย 

โ€œWe have been gratefulย since the limited return of fans to grounds in recent weeks for the way our clubs and fans have worked together in a responsible manner, and the weekend was a great example of that.ย 

โ€œTo be included in the Governmentโ€™s Events Researchย Programmeย allowed us to welcome a much higher crowd to Wembley than would otherwise have been the case,ย and the supporters of the four clubs involved โ€“ Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Rovers, St Helens and York City Knights โ€“ as well as the thousands of neutrals whoย attend our Challenge Cup Final weekend were a credit to the game.ย 

โ€œThis year that involvedย providing evidence of eitherย a negative Covid-19 test or of having had a double vaccinationย to gain entry to the stadiumย โ€“ andย while that wonโ€™t be required to attendย regular leagueย matches this week now we have reached Stage 4, we would still encourage supporters to bear in mind Government guidance where possible.ย 

โ€œThe Government refers to Stage 4 as โ€˜a new phase of continued caution whilst managing the risks of COVID-19โ€™.ย We all owe it to each other to be as safe and responsible as possible to restrict the spread of the virus.ย 

โ€œThe same applies to all involved in the Community Game, whether as players or spectators.ย Again, Stage 4 of the Roadmap involves the removal of a number of restrictions โ€“ and again, we areย urging clubs and players to implement these changes cautiously and responsibly.โ€ย 

Rugby League is joining other sports in requesting supporters to bear the following in mind before attending games:ย 

ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย Do not attend if you have symptoms or are in any doubt about your health.ย 

ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย Please vaccinate where possible to maximise protection to fellowย supporters and members of staff.ย  Vaccination remains a key priority in the response to the pandemic.ย 

ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย Use the Governmentโ€™s offer of free lateral flow tests; consider taking one before you travel.ย 

ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย If travelling via public transport, please adhere to the relevant guidance.ย 

ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย Respect the rules of the venue you are attending and check in advance to see what is required.ย 

ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย Wear face coverings inย busyย indoor areasย ย 

ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย Ensure you are familiar with social distancing restrictions where these applyย ย 

ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย Treat stewards with respect and respond to their requests.ย 

The RFL is continuing to work with clubs to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.ย 

Salford Red Devils’ next home game comes on Thursday 29 July, when we welcome Hull Kingston Rovers to the The Salford Stadium.

Salford Red Devils to join โ€˜Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super Leagueโ€™

Super League (Europe) and the Rugby Football League (RFL) have partnered with the national social care charity Community Integrated Care to form a ground-breaking inclusive sports programme for people with learning disabilities and autism.ย 
The โ€˜Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super Leagueโ€™ will give people with learning disabilities the opportunity to play an adapted version of Rugby League, in a series of high-profile festivals and events. The programme aims to promote the development of skills, confidence and positive experiences for people with learning disabilities, and make a major statement about social inclusion. ย This world-first initiative is the first ever example of a professional sports league sharing its brand with a learning disability sports programme.
The inclusive competition has been supported by eleven founder clubs, who have established or will be developing Learning Disability Rugby League teams: Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants, Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos, Newcastle Thunder,ย Salford Red Devils, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves, Widnes Vikings,ย Wigan Warriorsย and York City Knights.
Learning Disability Rugby League is a specially adapted non-competitive game, which focuses on encouraging participation and skills development. To support the success of this programme, Community Integrated Care is providing specialist training to all participating clubs, as well as direct investment into the sport.
The programme is set to launch at the Betfred Super Leagueโ€™s Dacia Magic Weekend event, which takes place at Anfieldย Stadium, Liverpool, on 25-26thย May 2019. This will provide one of the biggest ever crowds for a learning disability sport event.
The initiative was revealed today at Community Integrated Careโ€™s Annual Conference, which took place at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United. The launch event was hosted by Sky Sports presenters Terry Oโ€™Connor and Brian Carney. It featured contributions from Warrington Wolves hooker Danny Walker, Leeds Rhinos forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Wigan Warriors second-row, Willie Isa, and St Helens prop, Luke Douglas, who have all signed up as Ambassadors for the programme, having proudly supported LDRL initiatives or the charity Community Integrated Care in the past.
Community Integrated Care is one of Britainโ€™s biggest and most successful social care charities, supporting over 3500 people who have learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns and dementia across England and Scotland. The charity has developed several pioneering sports and social care programmes, including initiatives with leadingย Rugby League clubs that have been recognised at the National Dementia Care Awards, 3rdย Sector Care Awards and the Great British Care Awards.
This announcement is part of a wider strategic partnership between Community Integrated Care, the Super League and the RFL, which aims to develop and enhance the community programmes provided by the sport to people with care and support needs. As the Official Social Care Partner of the sport, the charity will be leading the development of a range of programmes that will useย Rugbyย League to transform the lives of people who require care and support.
Robert Elstone, CEO of Super League, said: โ€œI would like to thank Community Integrated Care for presenting this ground-breaking opportunity to Super League.ย The passion and commitment shown to date to get this project underway bodes well for a partnership that will reward all participants in so many ways. Not only will this deliver amazing opportunities for all the players, and experiences that will live in the memory for lifetimes, it will also endorse everything that Super League stands for.
Our Clubs sit at the heart of proud communities and bring people together every day of the year. The Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League will widen that reach and amplify these special qualities.โ€
Ralph Rimmer, the Chief Executive of the RFL, said: โ€œAs a governing body we are extremely proud of our work in developing both Physical Disability and Learning Disability Rugby League over the past 12 months. To have a partner of the calibre of Community Integrated Care come on board is really exciting and they will add real value as we look to develop this format.
The work the Club Foundations have done in giving players with a learning disability the chance to experience Rugby League has been first class and we look forward to working with Super League, Club Foundations and Community Integrated Care to continue to deliver some unprecedented playing opportunities.โ€
Mark Adams, CEO of Community Integrated Care, says: โ€œWe believe that this collaboration will become one of the most significant inclusive sports programmes in the world. This initiative gives people with learning disabilities an unparalleled platform to stay active, make friends, develop skills and achieve their dreams. By providing people with the opportunity to represent the clubs that they love, become Super League players, and be part of the gameโ€™s biggest events, such as Magic Weekend, the sport is not only changing peopleโ€™s lives but also making a powerful statement about the inclusiveness and values ofย Rugbyย League.
โ€œAs the Official Social Care partner of the sport, we are looking forward to working with the sport to changing the lives of thousands of people with learning disabilities, mental health concerns, autism and dementia.
โ€œWe would like to commend the Super League, RFL, all participating clubs, and the players and legends who have signed up as Ambassadors, for their vision and passion for this programme.โ€

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