Rfl Announces £16m Emergency Government Loan

The Government and the RFL have announced an emergency loan of £16 million to the rugby league in a bid to help support the sport and its clubs through the coronavirus pandemic. 

DCMS has highlighted rugby league’s importance to the communities in which it is established, as well as emphasising the boost that will be provided to the sport as well as the North of England by the staging of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 in the area.

That event will include three tournaments, the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competition and will be held in the autumn of 2021, while the government’s manifesto included a commitment to delivering a successful tournament, with significant financial support already provided.

“This is a massive shot in the arm to secure the survival of rugby league,” said Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

“We recognise that many RFL clubs operate on very tight financial margins. Without their ability to stage matches with spectators and despite the government’s extensive economic package, the professional game has come very close to collapsing. 

“Sports across the board are facing unprecedented pressures, and we are supporting them through wider government measures.  In this case we are intervening as an exception, not to save an individual business or organisation, but to protect an entire sport, the community it supports,  the World Cup held here next year and its legacy for generations to come.”

Ralph Rimmer, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “The RFL is grateful to the government for understanding and acting on the case for the whole sport.   
 
“In these very tough times for the country and huge demands on government, this is confirmation of why Rugby League is important – our USP – the sport’s significant social impact in northern communities in particular.
 
“Rugby league is not a wealthy sport but is rich in the things that matter most – outstanding sporting and life chances in often disadvantaged communities. The effects of lockdown at the start of our season genuinely threatened the survival of our clubs at all levels and their ability to continue delivering those positive social and economic impacts.
 
“This support has been achieved as a result of the whole sport working together; a credit to all the clubs, and to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Rugby League and many other supporters of our sport. It enables the sport to survive, to reshape and to be ready to restart in this our 125th year. And to look to a home World Cup next year and a legacy for our communities.”

The loan will be administered by the RFL, in partnership with Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).