RFL restructure to put England team first

The RFL have revealed that the organisation is set for a significant restructure of its organisation, with the aim of making sure it “is best placed to serve” the sport.

The governing body is aiming to better embrace digital technology, and is aiming to ensure that fans, players and volunteers at placed at the heart of the sport.

The RFL will also concentrate resources on the England team, in order to maximise the chances of the team winning the 2021 World Cup, which England is hosting.

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood is confident that the restructure will be another positive layer on which to build, after successful recent initiatives.

“Rugby league appreciates all of the public funding that comes into the sport but the RFL also needs to create new funding streams into all levels of the game if it is to truly maximise the opportunity of hosting the World Cup in 2021,” he said.

“We will look to build on the growth in participation numbers, strong league and competition management and improvements in player retention over recent years.

“We will focus on embracing new technologies and we are confident that the changes we are making will put the sport in a much stronger position for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

“With successful programmes already in place, such as our Sky Try campaign, which has committed £7m investment until 2021 and has seen 80,000 children play rugby league this year, we are in a good position to continue to grow this great sport.”