Lions and Australia to unite in Sydney for Rugby League Ride of Legends

The Rugby League Cares annual cycling challenge will go to another level in July 2027, as we head Down Under in partnership with Australia’s Family of League for the Rugby League Ride of Legends.

The ride will be a celebration of the shared history of Rugby League between England and Australia, as some of the sport’s biggest names ride around a string of iconic clubs and venues – with the usual Rugby League Cares goal of raising money for the Seriously Injured Players Fund now extended to the Family of League.

This will be the 10th anniversary of the Rugby League Cares annual cycling challenge since it launched in 2017 with the ride to Wembley for the Challenge Cup Final, and it has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to support seriously injured players and their families.

The Family of League has been the charitable heart of Rugby League in Australia for more than two decades, generating millions of dollars to support Rugby League people in need.

Adrian Morley, the Great Britain Lions legend and Sydney Roosters enforcer who has been a regular on the Rugby League Cares cycling challenges in recent years, said:

“I’ve loved every minute of all our previous challenges, but the chance to get out to Australia and unite with the Family of League takes it to another level.

“I fell in love with Sydney from the moment I joined the Roosters, and it’s the perfect place for us to raise the profile of our charities.

“It’s a spectacular city where Rugby League is massive – and I’ve always loved the fact that Aussies and Poms can come together through their love of our sport.

“I’ve already had my contacts book out to get a few of my old mates on board for the ride – and they’re all buzzing about it as well. I’ve always said that the spirit you get on the rides is the closest I’ve had to the buzz from playing.

“It’s going to be a fantastic event – but more importantly, it gives us the best chance to raise money for seriously injured players here in England, as well as the Family of League in Australia.”

Morley, who was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in October 2022 after making 30 appearances for Great Britain and 23 for England, will be joined by a number of other former Lions legends - to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Family of League CEO, Darren Gocher, said:

“We are excited to be partnering with Rugby League Cares on this fantastic initiative. Having some of the stars from across both Great Britain and Australia taking part will ensure that we lift the awareness for what both organisations are doing. More importantly, we will raise funds for those that need it most from our Rugby League community.

"I have no doubt there will be a host of Aussie international stars keen to take part in this challenge, alongside their English counterparts. We hope everyone gets behind it and supports this wonderful initiative."

The route has still to be finalised, but the plan is to take in as many clubs as possible, in the areas of Australia where Rugby League has such a passionate support.

A range of sponsorship opportunities are available for the Rugby League Ride of Legends – including the chance to join the ride in Sydney, for those who feel up to the challenge. But we expect demand to be high – so contact Rugby League Cares as soon as possible, through commercial@rlcares.org.uk.