Rugby League has earned historic recognition for the sport’s positive approach to gender equality and social mobility at the Northern Power Women Awards 2022, sponsored by EY.
Reigning Woman of Steel Jodie Cunningham and Betfred Women’s Super League General Manager Thomas Brindle were presented with the Small Organisation award, for businesses with fewer than 250 employees, at a ceremony at Manchester Central – the venue for the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Final in November.
Thomas and Jodie – the St Helens captain, who is also the RFL’s National Women’s and Girls’ Development Manager – are pictured with RFL Chief Executive Ralph Rimmer, Chief Regulatory Officer Karen Moorhouse, and Non-Executive Director Sandy Lindsay MBE.
Ralph Rimmer, the RFL Chief Executive, said: "This is deserved recognition for the immense contribution made by women to all levels of our sport, whether on or off the field.
"We have been recognised for the work we do as a sport with women and girls in many deprived communities, inspiring them to take up our sport, and changing their lives and futures through Rugby League.
"Growing participation rates for Women's and Girls' Rugby League have been a huge success story over recent years, especially since the launch of the Women’s Super League in 2017 - and it's been especially heartening to see that growth continue despite the interruption and disruption caused by Covid-19.
"The 2021 season was our best ever, with a record crowd at Headingley to watch the Grand Final, the launch of a new southern competition, and a step change in the level of broadcast coverage through our supportive partners Sky Sports and the BBC.
"But this award is about more than the sport on the field, as it recognises the influence of so many women in key positions at all levels of Rugby League, from grassroots to professional.
"It's perfectly timed with the Women’s and Girls’ season just getting underway, and as we look forward to our England Women taking on the world on home soil this autumn in one of three Rugby League World Cups, with the Final at Old Trafford.
"And it was extra special for Jodie and Thomas to be presented with the award at Manchester Central, which will be the venue for the Wheelchair World Cup Final."
The Northern Power Women Awards were founded in 2016 to celebrate individuals and businesses who are pushing boundaries and leading the way to accelerate gender equality and social mobility from the North of England.
Simone Roche MBE, Founder and CEO of Northern Power Women, said: "This year’s Award winners once again represent the outstanding leaders and role models present in and from the North. They are creating change and using their power and influence to benefit a huge number of people and are embodying the Northern Power Women ethos of inspiring people to use their PoWEr for good and advancing gender equality."
