UK National Lottery to partner the Rugby Football League

The UK National Lottery has announced it will sponsor the Rugby Football League which includes the Women and Girl’s Rugby League.

UK.- The National Lottery has announced it will become an official partner of the Rugby Football League and Women’s and Girls’ Rugby League.

The news comes after the lottery announced its support for TeamGB at the Tokyo Olympics.

Nigel Railton, Chief Executive of National Lottery operator Camelot, said: ““The loss of spectators and cancellation of events has had such an impact, so I am proud that National Lottery players are able to support Rugby League after a difficult year.”

The National Lottery will be the title partner for the England women’s rugby league mid-season international versus Wales on Friday June 25.

This support comes after the sport was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Most women and girls have not played their sport since Autumn 2019.

Ralph Rimmer, CEO the Rugby Football League, said: “The growth of girls’ and women’s Rugby League at all levels has been wonderful, which made the impact of over a year of not playing so hard for the players, coaches, volunteers and clubs.

“But we bounce back with this new commercial partnership and with the support of The National Lottery, and we look forward to kicking off our vibrant domestic competitions, followed by a mid-season International, and the excitement of a home World Cup this autumn”.

UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “We’ve been clear that we must continue the push for greater participation, employment, commercial opportunities and visibility in the media for women’s sport.

This announcement is great news for Women’s and Girls’ Rugby League. As we look ahead to the start of the 2021 professional season, this funding from The National Lottery will provide the sport with certainty as we work towards getting crowds back at matches as soon as possible.”