AoC Sport receives grant to grow grassroots rugby league in colleges

AoC Sport has received more than £3,000 of funding to grow participation in rugby league and build on the legacy of the World Cup being hosted in England later this year. Working with the Rugby Football League, AoC Sport will encourage more young people from a range of different backgrounds to engage with the sport, both through playing and volunteering. This will be done through the delivery of a Tag Leaders programme. Each college that receives the training will receive an equipment bundle, consisting of a bag of balls, tag belts and tags, reversible bibs, cones and a ball pump, so young people can deliver engaging Tag Rugby activity to their peers and community. AoC Sport has been granted £3,607.20 from the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme – a funding pot of £10million delivered in partnership between RLWC2021, the sport’s national governing body, the Rugby Football League, Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. Dean Hardman, Director of Sport and Student Experience at The Association of Colleges, said: “The funding by the CreatedBy programme will ensure that college students inspired by the 2021 Rugby League World Cup can access the game, whether that be through playing or volunteering. The equipment this grant will fund will ensure the leadership programme put in place will make a huge difference to the beneficiaries. Thanks to the RFL for their support and we look forward to seeing more rugby league played in colleges as a result.” Adam Hughes, Development Lead - Education of the Rugby Football League said: “We are really excited to be working with AoC Sport to encourage more people from a range of different backgrounds to engage with Rugby League, harnessing the legacy of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup through the TAG leaders programme.” Jon Dutton, Chief Executive RLWC2021, said: “The CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme is focused on ensuring the next generation of rugby league players have the best possible experience and barriers to participate are removed. We are delighted to award this grant to AoC Sport and look forward to seeing the results of this investment that aims to deliver real change in their community.” The Rugby League World Cup 2021 will kick off across multiple sites in England on 23 October 2021, with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions taking place simultaneously, under one tournament banner for the first time. For more information about the tournament click here. To find out how to be involved in the progamme, join us at the AoC Sport National Conference on 12-13 May, where the RFL's Adam Hughes will be sharing more details. Book your place at the conference now.