Announcements

SAINTS chairman Eamonn McManus has welcomed the government's emergency £16m loan paid to rugby league.

The emergency loan to The Rugby Football League is said to safeguard the immediate future of the sport for the communities it serves.

The cash influx will help the sport deal with the extreme financial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak while the season remains suspended, due to social distancing measures.

It comes ahead of England hosting the Rugby League World Cup next year.

The Saints chairman says the loan enables clubs to be in a position to "save ourselves".

He told BBC News: “The sport was in real and genuine danger of going out of existence.

"What we have here is a bridge loan for the sport to put us into a position where we can really rationalise, reorganise ourselves and save ourselves.”

The RFL will administer the funding, in partnership with Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

All RFL Super League, Championship and League 1 clubs based in England are eligible to apply. Further details on when the fund will open and how clubs can apply will be announced by the RFL in due course.

Ralph Rimmer, chief executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “The RFL is grateful to the Government for understanding and acting on the case for the whole sport.

“In these very tough times for the country and huge demands on Government, this is confirmation of why Rugby League is important – our USP – the sport’s significant social impact in northern communities in particular.

“Rugby League is not a wealthy sport but is rich in the things that matter most – outstanding sporting and life chances in often disadvantaged communities. The effects of lockdown at the start of our season genuinely threatened the survival of our clubs at all levels and their ability to continue delivering those positive social and economic impacts.

“This support enables the sport to survive, to reshape and to be ready to restart in this our 125th year. And to look to a home World Cup next year and a legacy for our communities.

“Watching and playing sport together, including Rugby League, has a role to play in the nation’s recovery. We are part of that national sporting landscape. In the meantime, we continue to work at the heart of our communities, helping wherever we can.”

Steve Barclay, chief secretary to the treasury, concluded: “Rugby League is a sport that makes a significant social impact in the communities it serves, which is even more important now as we respond to the economic pressures resulting from Covid-19.

“The timing of the Rugby League World Cup next year will also be a fantastic opportunity to build on the sport’s strong track record within these communities, and is an opportunity that this Government’s support will ensure is delivered.”