Rochdale Hornets Foundation to receive £9k in grant funding

Rochdale Hornets Foundation have received funding from RLWC 2021 to help towards kit and equipment

Rochdale Hornets Foundation has been awarded £9,487 from the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme.

The grant, which has been awarded to help more people play rugby league at grassroots level in Rochdale and the Greater Manchester area, will fund the club’s new equipment and kits.

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.

Rochdale Hornets Foundation Manager, Steve Kerr said: “We are absolutely delighted  that Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation has been successful in receiving funding from The Created by RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme.  

“This funding, alongside funding already confirmed from Rochdale Council Township for our TRY Programme, will help us encourage more people from a range of different backgrounds engage with rugby league, both through playing and volunteering over the coming months and lead up to the RLWC2021 in October 2021.    

“Thank you RLWC2021, RFL and Sport England  for this opportunity - it will most definitely help us create positive, accessible and inclusive environments for rugby league in the Rochdale borough and increase the opportunities to take part.”

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 Rochdale Hornets Foundation 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 is due to 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.