RFL planning new facility, including 900-seat stand, near Etihad campus

The RFL has revealed plans to create a new facility to serve rugby league and the local community close to the Etihad Campus in East Manchester.

The proposed two-storey building and 4G pitch would be a unique base shared by elite athletes, community players and coaches, and by young people and adults from the local area.

There are also plans for a small, 900-seat pitch-facing stand attached to the building – an education and training
facility for people to begin developing their ‘big match’ skills.

The RFL are due to move its headquarters from Salford Quays to the Etihad Campus in 2022.

Building bridges

RFL Chief operating officer, Tony Sutton, said: “For 125 years Rugby League has brought a huge range of social and economic benefits to communities in the north of England and beyond.

“It is a sport with a massive social impact – and now we want to make an impact in east Manchester.

“Our proposed development would become a local focal point for adult education, training and skills – driving up skills and social mobility through sport.

“But it’s important that we listen to what local residents have to say about our plans before we make any formal planning application.”

The RFL held a drop-in session with local residents of Beswick recently.

OurLeague Life is the RFL’s proposed series of learning and development hubs across the north.

As well as offering a new facility for local people; including planned delivery of health and wellbeing services, OuRLeague Life would also be a key facility for all the England Rugby League squads such as the Men’s, Wheelchair and Women’s teams, and RFL match officials.

It is part of a strategy to increase its footprint and ‘bricks and mortar’ assets over the next few years.

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