Rugby league in Newcastle and the surrounding area has been boosted by a grant of more than £85,000 by Sport England and the launch of a new development project.
Joanne Drapier, community sport relationship manager of Sport England, will present a cheque for £85,205 at half-time during tonight’s League 1 match between Newcastle Thunder and York City Knights at Kingston Park Stadium.
Receiving the cheque will be Bill Midgley OBE, chairman of Newcastle Thunder, and Melanie Magee, the club’s head of community.
The money will help launch the Sport England Local Development Project, an innovative programme which makes an impact on growing the game in non-traditional areas with a focus on women’s and girls’ rugby league, touch rugby league and rugby league fitness.
Complementing existing rugby league development in the North East, the project will be split into four elements:
- 14-16 age group female development
- 16+ female development
- 16+ touch rugby development (male and female)
- 16+ boot camps (male and female)
Melanie Magee said: “Newcastle Thunder and the Community Foundation would like to thank Sport England for their terrific support of this project, along with the Rugby Football League, in demonstrating their commitment to the North East.”
Joanne Drapier said: “We see this as a great opportunity for women and girls across Newcastle and the North East to get engaged with rugby league. We are encouraged that the foundation will look to create positive experiences for the young people to enable them to lead an active lifestyle.”