Reflecting on the RFL’s Week of Social Impact, we are thrilled by the remarkable support and engagement from our community and Foundations. Their contributions make all of our social impact work possible.
Throughout the Week of Social Impact, our sport highlighted the impactful work happening across our community and shared the mission that drives our social impact efforts. It was a great success, and we’re proud to recognise and celebrate the dedication of our partners, who are at the heart of these initiatives.
As we look back on this week, we’re excited to showcase the outstanding projects from each strand of social impact supporting our sports mission:
Tackling Inequalities:
- Hull FC: Tackling inequality through their “Step into Employment” programme, helping 75 young people build qualifications and gain support toward finding employment. A great example of social mobility is Bailey, a young adult who, after completing the foundation’s volunteer qualifications, found employment with Hull FC. The programme’s guidance on interview skills and CV-building boosted his confidence and employability.
- Wakefield Trinity – A partnership with the NCS to deliver outdoor, social action and personal development days with schools impacting over 350 young people.
- Swinton Lions RLFC – Tackling Inequalities through their Violence Reduction Programme to engage young people (7-11) in personal growth, confidence building and understanding healthy lifestyles.
Social Cohesion:
- Saints RLFC – Connecting the community through Qualitech Reminisce Café.
- Vikings Foundation – The Future Vikings Development programme increasing fitness, socialising and bringing community club players, coaches and volunteers together, providing support to all.
- Salford Red Devils: Supporting nine local community clubs, Salford Red Devils honours the dedicated volunteers who lead the city’s thriving junior teams.
Social Justice:
- Sheffield Eagles: Advancing social justice through their Youth Engagement Provision, partnering with the National Lottery Community Fund, they collaborate with local organisations to bring new opportunities to the city. This initiative provides over 60 young people each week with free, accessible sports sessions, making Rugby League more inclusive and reflective of their community.
- Leigh Leopards – Children’s S.E.N centre and the A Team Hub. Providing a facility and space for everyone to socialise, have fun as a community and get involved in multiple activities! Including the ‘Being Me’ a mental wellbeing programme to increase understanding and emotional resilience for teenage girls diagnosed with autism and ADHD.
- Featherstone Rovers – Sporting Futures programme delivered with Disability Sport Yorkshire – giving people with learning difficulties and disabilities an opportunity to learn employment skills for the sporting industry.
These projects represent only a few of the exceptional contributions from our foundations. We extend our thanks and gratitude to the following foundations for making the first Week of Social Impact truly memorable:
- Advantage! Barrow Raiders Community Foundation
- The Bradford Bulls Foundation
- Castleford Tigers (Tigers Trust)
- Featherstone Rovers Foundation
- Huddersfield Giants Community Trust
- Hull FC Rugby Community Sports & Education Foundation
- Hull Kingston Rovers Community Trust
- Leeds Rhinos (Leeds Rugby Foundation)
- Leigh Leopards (Leigh Youth and Community Development Trust)
- Newcastle Rugby Foundation
- Saints Community Development Foundation
- Salford Red Devils Foundation
- Sheffield Eagles (The Eagles Foundation)
- Swinton Lions Community Sports Foundation
- Wakefield Trinity Community Trust
- Warrington Wolves Community Foundation
- Widnes Viking (Viking Sports Foundation)
- Wigan Warriors Community Foundation
To learn more about these programmes from our foundations or find ways to get involved, please click here.
If you’d like to collaborate on our next Week of Social Impact, please contact the RFL's Social Impact Manager, Ashleigh Seddon.
