Ten more community clubs are set to join the Rugby Football League’s groundbreaking Community Wellbeing Hubs project to deliver positive social impact in their local areas alongside their traditional activities.
Community Wellbeing Hubs are more than simply a Rugby League club – and six community clubs have already launched with the support of the RFL’s social impact team. The following clubs will receive an official plaque to commemorate their achievements and gain full accreditation on to the programme.
- Hull Wyke ARLFC
- Portico Vine ARLFC
- Salford City Roosters
- Shevington Sharks ARLFC
- West Hull ARLFC
- West Leeds ARLFC
As the current hubs move into the next phase of the project, they’ll become self-sufficient by transforming their spaces into a multi-purpose sport and community centre.
Shevington Sharks ARLFC have gone from strength to strength since opening their space to the wider community and now partner with Wigan Youth Zone to provide activities and meals for disadvantaged students through School Holidays.
Stephen Bates, Shevington Sharks ARLFC Secretary explains: “Our vision 10 years ago when we started on our journey of building our own ground and facilities along with Shevington Football Club was to create a unique project for the benefit of the local and wider community – the Community Wellbeing Hub initiative in many ways a perfect fit and with the guidance from the RFL’s Social Impact Team we are delivering our goal.”
Elsewhere, the Salford City Roosters have joined forces with Greater Manchester’s City of Trees project to bring more greenery to their grounds and enhance social benefits for the local community, players and staff.
Patrick Connelly, Chair of Salford City Roosters says: “We are delighted to use our status as an RFL Community Wellbeing Hub to lead this fantastic partnership and provide this environmental improvement for our members and our local area. We hope that residents can enjoy the new trees as part of a walk, that children can explore when at school and during community centre visits. These trees will contribute to physical and mental health improvements for all who use this area.”
Hull Wyke’s transition has enabled the club to form partnerships within the local area and it now hosts several community-based clubs who have been struggling to find the correct space.
Hull Wyke ARLFC, Craig Beaumont, explains: “As a hub we have been able to work hand in hand with our local councillors and host their wellbeing events providing food and drink, as well as a warm safe space during winter months. During the next 12 months we aim to reach out to the local community and offer our facilities to more and more organisations. Our area has traditionally suffered from lack of ‘fit for purpose’ premises but now with us gaining CWH status we can rectify that.”
RFL Director of Participation and Development, Marc Lovering, adds: “Community Wellbeing Hubs are a vital part of our Social Impact Strategy and I’ve been blown away by some of the work undertaken by participating clubs. They are making a real difference in their local areas, which in turn, is helping build the profile of Rugby League and giving clubs more sources of income and therefore improving their longevity.
“We’re also delighted to confirm that the project will now be delivered in partnership with AXA XL – they have provided us with some seed funding which means we can continue to support the launch of each Hub and produce their accreditation plaque.
“We’re hugely grateful to AXA XL for their support and I’d like to congratulate the clubs who will be accredited this year. I look forward to hearing about the amazing work they will be delivering.”
