Rugby League’s social care partner kicks off Wembley week by launching ‘accessible’ guide to the Challenge Cup Finals

Rugby League’s social care partner, Community Integrated Care, today launches a first-of-its-kind guide for a major sporting event in this country – an ‘Easy Read Guide For The Challenge Cup Finals’, which take place at Wembley Stadium this Saturday (8 June).

The guide offers easy-to-read information about Saturday’s Men’s and Women’s finals, with clear and concise text and imagery suitable for all audiences. This can be downloaded here.

It’s been co-created by fans with learning disabilities and who themselves access care and support daily – Community Integrated Care’s ‘Support Squad’, whose role is to help organisations reach their inclusivity potential. With guidance from the Rugby Football League (RFL), group members have combined lived experience of a learning disability with their knowledge and love of Rugby League to produce design a resource that aids communication, accessibility and understanding for newcomers to the game.

Lewis Webster, Sports Inclusion Communications Manager at Community Integrated Care, said:

“The Challenge Cup finals are not only a huge moment for the sport, but a showcase opportunity to bring new fans to the game from all backgrounds. This exceptional, inclusive resource has been specially designed to help make Rugby League and the finals easier to understand, ensuring that this game is for everyone.

“I’d like to thank the RFL for valuing this work and for their support in providing the platform for people who access care and support to share their skills, and to the co-creators for their dedication and commitment to producing a fantastic guide that will empower its readers to enjoy this brilliant sport.”

Many ‘Support Squad’ members express their passion for Rugby League by watching their favourite teams and representing them, by playing in the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League. These experiences ensure that rules of the sport within the guide are presented clearly for people of all abilities to enjoy the game.

Matt Price, who helped co-create and assess the guide, added:

“I really enjoy being part of the Support Squad, as it means I get to help organisations and sports to be more inclusive for all through creating documents like this. Developing the guide with people we support has been a lot of fun, and means that more people with learning disabilities can discover the sport I love.

“The guide gives a great insight into this historic cup competition and what will be on the line at Wembley, which creates excitement and an improved understanding for all.”

Ben Abberstein, RFL Senior EDI Partner, said:

“We are delighted to be able to launch the Easy Read Guide to the Challenge Cup Finals, enabling more people to access and enjoy Rugby League’s showpiece event. We are hugely appreciative of Community Integrated Care and their Support Squad for producing this guide and ensuring it will be as successful as possible in being understood by the target audience.

"Ultimately, it aims to reduce anxieties associated with text-heavy documents and introduce more people to the game.”

Rugby League returns to Wembley Stadium for a huge cup finals triple header on Saturday 8 June. The Women’s Betfred Challenge Cup Final between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens kicks off at 11.45am, before the Men’s Final between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors at 3.07pm and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final between Sheffield Eagles and Wakefield Trinity at 5.45pm.  Tickets are available online now from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s, with family packages also available – details here.