Rugby League promote equality and diversity

The Rugby Football League has taken a proactive step to promote equality and diversity in the sport thanks to a new programme.

The Tackle IT initiative aims to increase awareness of issues such as racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination and prejudice within Rugby League.

The ‘Tackle IT’ campaign features seven promotional posters and a promotional DVD which will be made available to all professional and community clubs in the UK.

The campaign sees the RFL become the first UK sports governing body to produce a resource that simultaneously tackles and celebrates all six key equality strands of; race, sexuality, gender, disability, age and religion.

The campaign is fronted by famous names from the sport of Rugby League such as former St Helens and Hull KR star Anthony Sullivan, whose father Clive became the first ever black captain of a British sporting side when he led Great Britain to World Cup glory in 1972, and Sarah Bennison, who became the first female ever to referee a game in the professional ranks in July 2011 when she took charge of Norway against Germany.

RFL Chairman Richard Lewis said,

“We are committed to making Rugby League one of the most open and friendly sports in the UK and the Tackle IT campaign is the latest step aimed at ensuring we can achieve that goal. The RFL has worked very hard in recent years to improve our equality programmes and encourage people from all walks of life to get involved with the game and we hope that this latest initiative will continue to boost the successes we have seen over the past few seasons.

He added,

“However, the challenge now is for us not to rest on our laurels but to continue working hard at improving our pathways and equality initiatives at all levels.”

The Government’s Equality minister Lynne Featherstone said: "The drive to tackle inequality in sport ultimately has to come from within sport itself and I am delighted to see the RFL leading the way. The 'Tackle It' programme will help everyone who loves Rugby League unite to kick prejudice out of the game.

The Tackle IT campaign will be promoted in schools as the RFL hope it will encourage and support all those involved in the sport to continue reaching out to diverse communities to ensure Rugby League remains a inclusive and welcoming family sport.

To view the ‘Tackle It’ DVD, click here.