Rugby League unites to tackle discrimination

Rugby League Cares is supporting a sport-wide action plan designed to make Rugby League a truly inclusive sport by tackling discrimination and breaking down any barriers to involvement.

‘Rugby League versus Discrimination: Tackle It’ sets out four strategic goals and, crucially, the specific and measurable actions that will be taken to achieve them.

Launched by the Rugby Football League to coincide with the beginning of Black History Month, Tackle It marks a firm and tangible sport-wide commitment to inclusion, diversity, and anti-discrimination, which aims to:

1. Widen the reach and impact of Rugby League;
2. Diversify the game’s talent pool;
3. Improve the culture of Rugby League;
4. Clarify processes, instil confidence in – and encourage – the reporting of discrimination, and ensure that appropriate sanctions are in place.

The goals and actions support all the protected characteristics (in the Equality Act 2010): age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation. With a focus on areas requiring particular support at specific times.

The plan includes actions on player and coach recruitment and development, talent inclusion and progression, community outreach and club development, as well as on ensuring zero tolerance of all forms of discrimination within the game.

Responsibility for delivering against the plan rests with a wide range of organisations, including the RFL, Super League (Europe), professional and community clubs, RL Cares and RLWC2021.

In October, the RLWC2021 will also communicate their commitments to Diversity and Inclusion at the tournament and throughout the social impact programme.

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