East Leeds Community and Sports Social Club is set to receive £14,852 from the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme.
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, the CreatedBy programme is a funding pot of up to £10million made available by the government to support the legacy of the Rugby League World Cup by growing participation in the sport. This project is also being supported by a further £4,250 Funded by the Inner East Community Committee.
The grant, which has been awarded to help more people play rugby league at grassroots level in East Leeds and the surrounding area, will fund the Clubhouse ground floor refurbishment.
East Leeds plan to use this funding to complete a refurbishment, upgrade & overall improvement of its ground floor clubhouse facilities to provide a stable base and welcoming environment. Building on the past 40 Years heritage of providing a stable base within East Leeds and the surrounding area, actively contributing towards the development of young children and enabling adults to participate in and support the great game of Rugby League.
Antony Gregg, Vice Chairman ARL at East Leeds, said: “This is an ideal opportunity to execute this project to provide all at our Club with something positive at a time of such uncertainty and negativity. It also provides an ideal springboard towards the restart of activities and will lead nicely into the 2021 season plus the additional activities and opportunities that the 2021 World Cup will bring across the game. With the support of the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme and Inner East Community Committee this will enable this vision to become a reality and provide an increasingly secure future for this important Community Club and the people who depend upon it.
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 East Leeds ARL and look forward to seeing the results of this investment that aims to deliver real change in their community.”
Ralph Rimmer, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “Hosting the Rugby League World Cup in 2021 offers so many opportunities for everyone involved in the game in this country and beyond, and the facilities that will be delivered by the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme will be a big part of that transformation. The RFL are proud to be involved in that process, and we congratulate all the successful applicants – and look forward to the impact of this unprecedented level of investment in the game for years to come.”
Charles Johnston, Property Director, Sport England, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership to deliver the biggest government investment into grassroots rugby league facilities the country has ever seen. With this funding, communities will gain better access to the facilities, improved infrastructure and essential equipment they need to be active. We are pleased the investment will provide benefit to people engaging in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair game, with a focus on those disadvantaged areas where inactivity levels are stubbornly high. By focusing our efforts on increasing participation in the game, we’re ensuring that the Rugby League World Cup’s legacy lasts long after the last ball has been kicked and the crowds have gone home.”
The Rugby League World Cup 2021 will kick off on 23 October 2021, with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions taking place simultaneously, under one tournament banner for the first time.
Clubs, organisations and communities that run rugby league activities are encouraged to apply for this legacy funding by visiting www.rlwc2021.com/facilities. For further information visit their official social media channels, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram