The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is backing England Rugby League this autumn, with its logo to feature on the upper back of the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair teams in the forthcoming internationals.
The new partnership was launched this week ahead of the start of the Men’s three-Test series against Tonga in St Helens on Sunday – with England Women to face Wales on November 4, and England Wheelchair preparing for a rematch of last year’s World Cup Final against France on November 5, and all five internationals to be shown live by BBC Sport.
The University has a strong and long-running history of successful partnerships with Rugby League. It is the official University Partner of the newly-crowned Super League champions Wigan Warriors and was the training base for the Wales Men’s team in last year’s Rugby League World Cup.
UCLan’s links with Rugby League do not end there. Amanda Wilkinson, the trailblazing coach who recently led her hometown of Barrow to promotion to the Women’s Super League, is in her second season as the coach of UCLan’s men’s Rugby League team, and Angela Powers, the popular former Sky Sports Rugby League reporter, recently joined its hugely respected journalism department.
Shaun Wane, the England Men’s Head Coach, this week met with Bryan Jones, the Dean of the School of Health, Social Work and Sport at UCLan, to launch the partnership.
Shaun Wane:
“As a proud Lancastrian myself, I’m delighted to welcome the University of Central Lancashire as new partners for all three England teams.
“It’s been exciting for us to get back together as a squad this week after the momentum we built in last year’s World Cup, and we’re all pleased to have UCLan as part of our team.”
Dr Bryan Jones:
“I am delighted that we are working with England Rugby League for the forthcoming internationals against Tonga, Wales and France.
“The University has a rich history of supporting and developing Rugby League coaches and support staff at all levels of the game and has worked with most of the top British coaches in Super League since 2009. I am looking forward to building on this for the future.”
