RFL Social Impact
Social Impact has been an organic part of Rugby League since its breakaway in 1895. Our sport has made it its mission to always positively impact its communities.
We want more people to be physically active. Increasing the level of activity remains our key goal, together with supporting our people, building stronger communities and tackling the inequalities and barriers that affect our people – many of whom are based in some of the most deprived communities.
Having steadily increased our work in their area since 2017, in 2022 we introduced a dedicated Social Impact Team, proactively working towards the 2022-2023 strategic aims. Through OuRLeague Life the sports social impact vehicle, we are dedicated to achieving and working towards a better future by:
-
Removing the barriers and Tackling the Inequalities our communities face. Focusing on Health & Wellbeing and Education & Employability to increase Social Mobility.
-
Welcoming more players to the Rugby League family. Pushing inclusivity and diversity – ensuring Social Justice.
-
Strengthening our community game through sustainable facilities, supporting our volunteers and ultimately achieving Social Cohesion.
Explore the tiles below to learn about our latest projects that are in place to achieve our on-going mission for everyone to experience the life-changing social impact that Rugby League can bring beyond the 80 minutes.
The RFL Community Trust
We recognise the challenges ahead and we’re prepared.
In 2024, we proudly present the launch of The RFL Community Trust. An additional vehicle for our incredible sport to achieve our social impact aims – working side by side with the Governing Body and Rugby League Charitable Foundations. We look forward to the collaborative work that will take place to positively impact our communities and improve lives.
The Rugby League family looks after its own – the sport that's driven by its communities for its communities.
Rugby League Charitable Foundations
The Rugby Football League partner with a strong network across the country of charitable Rugby League Foundations. The Foundations independently deliver incredible playing and social impact activity for their regions, using the power of the sport and club as the hook for participation to change lives. Foundations are critical delivery partners in supporting The RFL achieve its strategic targets.
The Foundations also collaborate on joint consortium projects ran by The RFL such as, the past programme SkyTry and current projects Inspiring Futures (YEF), Lead the Game (Veterans Foundation) and Tackle Our Life. This creates an impact on a mass scale for shared objectives and aims within the network and our funding partners.
The Foundations attend quarterly forums hosted by The RFL, to network as a landscape and receive key updates. From this, informal mentoring and shared learnings take place. The forums are also key for The RFL to get feedback from the Foundations and listen to Foundations when shaping plans.
The dates of the 2024 forums are:
- 10 April
- 10 July
- 11 September
- 27 November
Minimum Governance Standards
The RFL Community Trust was co-created by The RFL and the sport’s Foundations, with an objective of securing new funding for the delivery of ‘Rugby League inspired’ community programmes that achieve real social impact and protect the long-term sustainability of the Foundation network. The RFL have continued to work closely with the Foundations to set Minimum Governance Standards that all Foundations must meet before expressing an interest to work as a delivery partner to the Trust.
The aim of this is to provide confidence and evidence to our external partners that our sport’s Foundations are an exceptional and safe project that delivers. The RFL are supporting each Foundation through the process of evidencing the standards and are very pleased on the progress so far.
Read more on the Minimum Government Standards here.
RFL's Foundation Network
Advantage! Barrow Raiders
Visit Website
Batley Sporting Foundation
Visit Website
Bears in the Community - Coventry
Visit Website
Bedford Tigers Foundation
Visit Website
Bradford Bulls Foundation
Visit Website
Bristol All Golds Foundation
Visit Website
Castleford Tigers Foundation
Visit Website
Club Doncaster Foundation
Visit Website
Cornwall RLFC
Visit Website
Cougars Foundation
Visit Website
Featherstone Rovers Foundation
Visit WebsiteHalifax Panthers Foundation
Visit Website
Hull FC Foundation
Visit Website
Hull KR Community Trust
Visit Website
Hunslet RLFC
Visit Website
Leeds Rhinos Foundation
Visit Website
Leigh Leopards Foundation
Visit Website
London Broncos
Visit Website
Midlands Hurricanes
Visit WebsiteNewcastle Rugby Foundation
Visit Website
Oldham Rugby League Trust
Visit Website
Rochdale Sporting Foundation
Visit Website
Saints Community Development Foundation
Visit Website
Salford Red Devils Foundation
Visit Website
The Eagles Foundation
Visit WebsiteWakefield Trinity Community Trust
Visit Website
Warrington Wolves Community Foundation
Visit Website
Widnes Vikings
Visit Website
Wigan Warriors Community Foundation
Visit Website
York RLFC Foundation
Visit Website
Foundation Sustainability Network
Launched in 2022, the FSN is a collaborative forum involving RFL development colleagues and nominated Foundation leaders focused on supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of the Foundation landscape.
The network meets quarterly to work towards the aims of Foundation Health, Governance and Showcasing. The creation of The RFL Community Trust is a core recommendation by the Foundation Sustainability Network. There is a collective belief, underpinned by consultation with peers and knowledge of the effectiveness of similar charitable organisations operated within other sports, that RFL Community Trust provides the best possible opportunity of securing sustainability as well as achieving the stated targets within The RFL’s ‘More than a Sport’ strategy.
Once the Trust is launched this group will transition into the RFL Community Trust Operational Group.
Please see below the current members of the FSN.
Projects
