Industry Shorts: Toronto Wolfpack, Rugby League World Cup 2021

The Betfred Super League Board has rejected Toronto Wolfpack’s application to return to the league in 2021 after clubs voted against its inclusion.

The club pulled out of the 2020 season after the club’s owner, David Argyle, withdrew ahead of the competition’s restart after the coronavirus lockdown, stating he could no longer fund the club. 

According to the league, it commissioned its own research – led by a committee involving two independent experts, Super League Europe Executive Chairman, Robert Elstone, and RFL Chair Simon Johnson – into the ‘commercial opportunities’ available to the sport in Canada. The report concluded that operating a team in the country would not produce ‘material incremental revenue in the short or medium term’.

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) will host the first ever Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) World Cup – an exhibition event, which will be held during next year’s tournament.

The event, which will see five teams take part, will begin in Warrington on 1st November 2021 and will culminate with the final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium ahead of the final match of the men’s Group A, between France and Samoa at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on 7th November.

The PDRL World Cup, which will run alongside RLWC2021, comprises teams from five nations who will take part in a mini-tournament format. England, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland and Wales are all set to compete.

As a result of new national coronavirus-related restrictions in England, The FA have announced that non-elite football will be suspended from Thursday 5th November until Wednesday 2nd December.

According to National Federation, this will include all training and fixtures from steps three to six in the National League system, as well as tiers three to seven in the women’s football pyramid. Grassroots adult and youth football – both indoors and outdoors – will also be suspended, however the government has confirmed that school sport can continue as an exception.

Wigan Warriors have announced a new major partnership with international tyre manufacturer Davanti Tyres as the brand looks to further its presence in the UK.

As part of the multi-year partnership, the Betfred Super League club – which this week unveiled a brand refresh – will display Davanti Tyres’ logo on the upper back of the men’s and women’s first team playing shirts.

The pair will also work on a series of co-branded social media content, created to showcase the partnership and to engage with supporters.