Speaker of the House of Commons hosts event to celebrate Black History Month

Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons and future President of the RFL, yesterday (Wednesday 26 October) hosted an event at Speaker’s House in London to celebrate Black History Month – and Rugby League Hall of Fame member Martin Offiah was among the guests.

The Speaker had invited people from the worlds of sport, arts, culture and entertainment, as well as politics, and in his welcoming address told them all about Rugby League’s role in breaking down barriers in society. 

Warrington Wolves supporter Sir Lindsay said: “I see Martin here. He made my cry a few times scoring hat tricks against Warrington. I can forgive him that. This is about the great sport that we both love. Billy Boston, Clive Sullivan – the first black captain of any sport in this country – these were my heroes. They are still my sporting heroes. Rugby League has made a difference in breaking down barriers.”  

Rugby League’s Inclusion Board chair, Rimla Akhtar, was also among the guests and is pictured with Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP and Martin Offiah. 

One person who was unable to be there was Lisa McIntosh, who will this week enter the prestigious Women’s Rugby League Hall of Fame in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the women’s game. Lisa was a trailblazer for Great Britain Women’s Rugby League and is thought to have been the first black woman to captain a British team when she was co-captain for the 1996 Ashes tour and then took sole charge for a trip to New Zealand two years later.