RFL backs Wilkin’s £30m funding plea to Burnham

Rugby Football League chief executive Ian Nolan has backed former England player Jon Wilkin’s proposal for a £30m, five-year government-funded social impact programme in northern England. Wilkin says rugby league clubs could help improve opportunities in disadvantaged communities, and wants the plan to bring together clubs, community foundations, councils and government departments.

He points to Australia’s A$250m (£130m) Pacific Rugby League Partnership, announced for a 10-year period, as an example of investment in sport-led community development. The UK government says it has committed £15.7m to rugby league through Sport England up to 2029 and is investing £400m in grassroots sports facilities. The appeal comes after England’s men’s and women’s teams both exited the Rugby League World Cup at the group stage.