Rugby League has received a timely boost ahead of International Women’s Day with the England Girls Diploma in Sporting Excellence programme (DiSE) receiving £30,000 from Sport England’s “Backing the Best” campaign, managed by SportsAid.
The “Backing the Best” campaign focuses on supporting talented athletes who would face difficulties progressing through their sport’s talent development system without critical financial help.
The England Rugby League DiSE is part of the female performance pathway, with a cohort of 30 girls selected last September for the 2023-25 programme – all aiming to follow in the footsteps of Keara Bennett and Eboni Partington, who have already progressed to full international honours, as well as excelling at club level with Leeds Rhinos and St Helens respectively, before Partington’s move to join York Valkyrie in the forthcoming Betfred Women’s Super League season.
Eight of those 30 will now benefit from financial support to help cover their equipment, travel and competition costs, specialist support and medical bills.
Conor Meese, the RFL’s DiSE Manager, said:
“Rugby League is proud that it is based in working class communities and champions young people from these areas, allowing them to develop and fulfil their potential – and ultimately to represent their country.
“The ‘Backing the Best’ campaign is a great example of Sport England’s support for young athletes, and we are so grateful to Sport England and SportsAid for the funding which removes financial barriers and levels the playing field.
“It will benefit girls across the country from East Yorkshire to the North West as they aim to follow in the footsteps of Keara, Eboni and three other players who have already progressed from our DiSe programme to the senior international squad.”
For full details of Backing the Best, click here Backing The Best | SportsAid
