Michael Lawrence aims to grow diversity in rugby league

Drew Darbyshire

Huddersfield and Jamaica forward Michael Lawrence is aiming to grow diversity within the rugby league community.

The 30-year-old has become a member of the Rugby Football League’s inclusion board as part of the governing body’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination.

The board will meet four times a year and members will serve two-year terms, after which they will be eligible for reappointment.

On becoming part of the inclusion board, Lawrence said: “It definitely means a lot.

“Obviously the situations that arose last year and at the back end of last season were very personal and something that I could really relate to, so I wanted to make sure personally that I didn’t just start the process – I wanted to see it through and hopefully be a part of some actual change.

“We’ll tackle an action plan and basically it is for inclusivity, diversity and anti-discrimination.

“I believe that the sport can become more diverse. There are all these different communities in the heartland of rugby league and I believe rugby league can do more in those communities to draw them different fanbases to the sport.”

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