Bradford, UK – The British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) recently held a seminal event at the iconic City Hall in Bradford to unveil the “South Asians in Rugby League Insight Report”. Commissioned by the Rugby Football League (RFL), this report provides an in-depth exploration of the participation of South Asians in rugby league and offers strategic recommendations to enhance inclusivity and engagement within the sport.
The event boasted an impressive lineup of speakers, including the Lord Mayors of Bradford and Leeds, along with notable figures from the rugby league community such as Ben Abberstein, Senior EDI Partner at Rugby Football League (RFL) Ian Stafford, Commercial Manager, from Bradford Bulls. The Chief Executive of the RFL, Tony Sutton, provided the closing remarks, which complemented the insightful contributions from all speakers.
The presentation was expertly hosted by Dr. Hanif Malik OBE, who offered valuable insights into the report’s findings and objectives. His role was instrumental in framing the discussions that highlighted the importance of inclusivity and community cohesion in rugby league.
Significant moments included talks from young leaders, such as Nimrah Gul of Halifax Panthers, a recent Rising Star award recipient. The event also highlighted the empowering stories of teenagers Bibi Aisha and Aizah Hussain from the 20:20 Foundation who discussed how their involvement in a rugby league leadership programme significantly boosted their confidence and self esteem.
Adding to the accolades, the Outstanding Community Excellence award was presented to Starr Zaman, co-founder of the 20/20 Foundation, by both Lord Mayors and the Chief Executive of the RFL. This honor recognised his significant contributions to community engagement and inclusivity within rugby league.
Dr. Ikram Butt, founder of BARA, commented: “Today not only marks a significant milestone in our continuous effort to integrate rugby league into the cultural fabric of diverse communities, but it also sets a strategic path forward.
"We are inspired by the commitment shown by everyone involved and look forward to the impact this report will have on our sport."
Ken Davy, Former Chairman of Super League and current Chair and owner of Huddersfield Giants: "I am deeply honoured to contribute the forward to this significant report. As the former Chairperson of Super League, I have long been immersed in the development and expansion of rugby league from its historic roots in Huddersfield. Our club is profoundly committed to fostering inclusity and ha spearheaded several initiatives that have set the benchmarks for community engagement within our sport.
"I urge all stakeholders in rugby league to embrace the call of action outlined in this report. It is imperative that we not only celebrate diversity but also actively implement Stratford that ensure inclusivity is at the heart of our sport."
Tony Sutton, the RFL Chief Executive, also commented: “It’s fantastic. It was a wonderful event this afternoon. It’s wonderful to hear some of the stories, especially from some of the girls who have been involved in some of the programmes.”
For more information about the report or to engage with BARA’s initiatives, please contact: Ikram.butt@bararugby.co.uk
