Rugby League Cares secures heritage fund to save memorabilia

Rugby League Cares is set to benefit from a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant, which will help them secure the Rugby League Heritage Collection Centre collection of memorabilia.

The collection, which includes a huge range of artefacts associated with the sport, was previously housed at the George Hotel in Huddersfield.

The artefacts and memorabilia will now feature in a touring exhibition which will make its way round the country over the next year.

The project will also reach out to schools and other organisations with a range of heritage-based activities and events.

There will even be an educational resource available for teachers which links rugby league history to the National Curriculum.

The new heritage project has been developed in collaboration with the University of Huddersfield, John Smith’s Stadium and Kirklees Council.

It is intended that it will complement and extend the other Rugby League heritage activities taking place in the Huddersfield area.

“We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund,” RFL archivist and Rugby League Cares trustee Professor Tony Collins said.

“Their backing and that of our partners at the University of Huddersfield, Kirklees Council and the John Smith’s Stadium will ensure that Rugby League’s great heritage will not only be seen by the widest possible audience but that hundreds of people will have the opportunity to volunteer and be part of collecting, conserving and displaying our sport’s wonderful history.”

The exhibition contains a range of caps, medals, jerseys and other items, commemorating some of the key moments in the sport’s history since 1895.

Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Saving our historic archives is important as they provide such valuable resources for anyone who wants to explore their past.

“This project will save and conserve this significant collection, making it publicly accessible as well as provide training and skills in research and archiving for local volunteers.”

Dates and venues for the heritage tour will be confirmed later in the year.