RUGBY LEAGUE JOINS IN THE NATIONAL LOTTERY'S TENTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS (From Warrington Guardian)

RUGBY LEAGUE JOINS IN THE NATIONAL LOTTERY'S TENTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

On Saturday, the National Lottery celebrates its tenth Birthday with the first ever National Lottery Day and the Rugby Football League is proud to be part of those celebrations.

Hundreds of Rugby League projects have benefited from National Lottery funding during the last 10 years. Sport England has invested almost £20 million of National Lottery money in Rugby League, including almost £9.3 million in Yorkshire alone and the RFL is delighted to recognise the Lottery's contribution to the development of our sport.

Rugby League's celebration at Saturday's Gillette Tri-Nations Tournament match between Great Britain and New Zealand at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium will be one of scores of similar 'thank you' events being staged all over the country by some of the 180,000 projects that have benefited from Lottery funding. Saturday, November 6, besides being the Lottery's birthday, has also been designated the first ever National Lottery Day in recognition of the Lottery's contribution to UK Life.

The National Lottery has raised more than £16 billion for good causes during the last 10 years, including more than £3 billion to sport. More than £2 billion has been invested by Sport England in thousands of sporting projects, clubs and facilities, including more than £155 million to nearly 500 projects across Yorkshire.

The celebrations aim to raise awareness of the Lottery's contribution to good causes and Saturday evening's activities have been staged by the RFL to recognise the National Lottery's contribution to our sport.

One of the focal points of the RFL celebrations will be four mixed Under Eight teams involved in a 'Little League' festival as part of Saturday's pre-match entertainment programme. Emley Moor (Kirklees) will take on Peterlee Panthers (North East), while Toll Bar (Doncaster) face Myton Warriors (Hull).

Representatives from Sport England, the Yorkshire Regional Sports Board, and Yorkshire Forward will be present at the celebration and the Gillette Tri Nations Tournament Match Four between Great Britain and New Zealand.

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of Sport England, said: "The 10th Birthday is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the contribution the Lottery has made to sport and Rugby League during the last 10 years. We are delighted that the RFL is showcasing the impact of the Lottery on Rugby League - both nationally and in Yorkshire - on such a high-profile occasion."

Richard Lewis, the RFL's Executive Chairman, said: "Our ability to attract National Lottery Funding has been one of the major reasons why Rugby League has been able to undertake such an effective modernisation programme and position ourselves as one of the country's most vibrant sports. We are very grateful for their support and congratulate the National Lottery on their tenth birthday."

So far 13 Rugby League clubs from across Yorkshire have benefited from Lottery funding and will take part in the flag presentations before Saturday's big match kicks off. The clubs will also be parading at half time.

A number of important presentations are also scheduled to take place at the celebrations. Five clubs, including Peterlee Panthers - will also receive the Sport England 'Clubmark' Award. This is a national award to recognise that Rugby League is being played in a 'child friendly and safe' environment. The other clubs are Halifax, Lock Lane (Castleford), Queensbury (Bradford) and Shaw Cross (Dewsbury).

Halifax are the sixth professional club to achieve the award and Peterlee Panthers is the first Rugby League club in the north east to reach that standard.

An ever-increasing number of Rugby League clubs across the country have not only achieved 'Clubmark' status but also started working towards attaining the award much to the delight of the RFL's National Development Manager Andy Harland.

"We have 54 clubs now accredited with the 'Clubmark' status across the game of Rugby League," said Harland, "and there are also another 160 teams who are registered and currently working towards achieving 'Clubmark'."

And, finally, RFL officials will receive the Preliminary Award from the Child Protection Sports Unit (CPSU). The award sets standards for safeguarding and protecting children in sport, and is heavily linked to the NSPCC. The NSPCC's Steve Boocock and Hamish McInnes, Head of Governing Bodies at Sport England will be on hand to present the award.

Steve Fairhurst, Equity and Ethics Officer at the RFL, believes it is another important and positive landmark for the sport. He said: "This a tremendous achievement, and is fantastic recognition for the hard work that everyone puts in across the Rugby League community to ensure the very best safety standards for children involved in the game."