RFL continues its investment in player welfare
The RFL has confirmed that Rugby League Cares will deliver the game’s player welfare programme in the professional and semi-professional game for 2019 and beyond.
As part of the move, RFL Welfare Director Emma Rosewarne has been seconded to RL Cares, a charity founded in 2013.
Ralph Rimmer, the RFL’s chief executive, said: “Looking after current and former professional and semi-professional players has to be a key concern for the governing body.
“The RFL has invested heavily in player welfare since the sport recognised the need to tackle this area in a more structured manner a decade or so ago, and while there is always room for improvement, it’s fair to say the game has been praised and admired by other sports for our work in this area.
“Much of the credit for that should go to Emma Rosewarne, and I know that her secondment to Rugby League Cares under the new arrangement will reassure the game’s stakeholders, including our players, that this is a positive move. Emma works tirelessly in this area and is truly an unsung heroine in this sport.
“Our record in player welfare provision is something of which we should all be very proud and remains critical to the sport’s good health – the RFL’s financial support, and that of the Super League clubs, will remain undiminished.
“Rugby League Cares is a fantastic organisation with which we work closely, and we have been considering this move for quite some time. It is a recognition of the outstanding work that Rugby League Cares already does in this area, and bringing all of the game’s welfare provision under their supervision will bring greater consistency of delivery, plus other benefits.
“The RFL and the Super League clubs will continue to fund welfare provision through Rugby League Cares, but this also gives the welfare programme more independence as part of a registered charity.”
As well as their work with player welfare and mental health, the charity is aiming to open the sport’s first ever National Rugby League Museum in 2021.
RL Cares Chairman Tim Adams said: “This is a very exciting move for RL Cares. The charity exists for the players, for the game and we are looking forward to working even more closely with players to put their interests first.
“The handover of responsibility for player welfare follows detailed discussions with the RFL, who deserve great credit for their commitment to this important field. The RFL has done a fantastic job in delivering a player welfare programme in difficult circumstances, without getting the recognition their hard work merits.
“The outcome of those negotiations is that for player welfare to be even more successful, it needs to be delivered by an organisation like RL Cares.
“Our independence means we are perfectly placed to provide the best possible support to players, regardless of other issues that may be ongoing within the sport.”