PRESS RELEASE

WIGAN ST JUDES ARLFC RECEIVE £8925 FROM THE CREATEDBY RLWC2021 CAPITAL GRANTS LEGACY PROGRAMME

The grant, which has been awarded to help more people play rugby league at grassroots level, will fund the modernisation of the club’s existing clubhouse which was built in 1984 and caters for 22 teams.

Wigan St Judes ARLFC is set to receive £8925 from the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme. Delivered in partnership between RLWC2021, the sport’s national governing body, the Rugby Football League, Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the CreatedBy programme is a funding pot of up to £10million made available by the government to support the legacy of the Rugby League World Cup by growing participation in the sport.

The funding will allow the club to replace four windows, modernise the bar facilities, replace the floor, improve sanitary areas and replace doors. The club is a non-profit organisation but must be run as business to sustain itself and the new facilities will not only give the club a more welcoming playing environment, but also help generate income by making the venue available for hire.

Joe Fitzsimmons, Secretary at Wigan St Judes, said: “On behalf of the committee, players and members of our club we would like to thank the RLWC2021 Legacy Funding programme for the grant of £8925 towards the internal modernisation of our clubhouse. Our application under the theme of ‘Welcoming Environments’ will help increase our membership and assist us to attract more players. It will also allow the local community to use much needed improved facilities for various events and will help generate revenue streams to support the club for years to come.”

Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, RLWC2021, said: “The CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme is focused on ensuring the next generation of rugby league players have the best possible experience and barriers to participate are removed. We are delighted to award this grant to Wigan St Judes ARLFC and look forward to seeing the results of this investment that aims to deliver real change in their community.”

Ralph Rimmer, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “Hosting the Rugby League World Cup in 2021 offers so many opportunities for everyone involved in the game in this country and beyond, and the facilities that will be delivered by the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme will be a big part of that transformation. The RFL are proud to be involved in that process, and we congratulate all the successful applicants - and look forward to the impact of this unprecedented level of investment in the game for years to come.”

Charles Johnston, Property Director, Sport England, said: "We are proud to be working in partnership to deliver the biggest government investment into grassroots rugby league facilities the country has ever seen. With this funding, communities will gain better access to the facilities, improved infrastructure and essential equipment they need to be active. We are pleased the investment will provide benefit to people engaging in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair game, with a focus on those disadvantaged areas where inactivity levels are stubbornly high. By focusing our efforts on increasing participation in the game, we’re ensuring that the Rugby League World Cup's legacy lasts long after the last ball has been kicked and the crowds have gone home."

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 will kick off on 23 October 2021, with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions taking place simultaneously, under one tournament banner for the first time.

Clubs, organisations and communities that run rugby league activities are encouraged to apply for this legacy funding by visiting www.rlwc2021.com/facilities. For further information visit their official social media channels, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram