THATTO Heath Crusaders ARLFC have become the first Rugby League club in the North West to achieve the Sport England Rugby League specific Clubmark award.

Sport England Clubmark sets generic criteria for national governing bodies of sport to accredit their clubs against in order to create safe, effective, and child friendly environments.

The RFL and BARLA have in turn been responsible for developing and setting sports specific standards and accrediting clubs against the national framework.

The County Sports Partnerships, and in particular Merseyside Sport in this instance will support the scheme locally. Clubmark will bring benefits such as promoting clubs within their communities, increased participation levels, developing coaches and volunteers at clubs, and raising standards.

Julia Lee, Regional Development Manager said: "The roll out of the Sport England RL Clubmark standard throughout the grassroots will bring many benefits, including more opportunity for all to participate and progress in all sectors of our sport.

"Thatto Heath have risen to the challenge and successfully attained Clubmark accreditation thus contributing significantly to the attraction of rugby league within local communities."

Mike Rush St Helens R.L.F.C/Service Area Co-ordinator said: "This is a outstanding achievement for the club and is just reward for Thatto Heath who have consistently took on board the challenge of taking there club to the next level.

"Congratulations must go to all at the club for the amount of time and effort everyone has placed in to the programme and in particular to Dave Yates who has coordinated the whole programme on behalf of the club."