The traditional Rugby League rivalry between Batley and Dewsbury will have an unusual twist this Easter, with representatives from the towns’ community clubs taking part in the World Coal-Carrying Championships to show their support for the Rugby League Benevolent Fund.
The World Coal-Carrying Championships have become established as one of the peculiar traditions in which England specialises – in this case with a strong Yorkshire flavour, every Easter Monday morning – since they were first held in 1964.
And this year a total of seven players from Dewsbury Celtic, Dewsbury Moor and Shaw Cross have taken up the challenge – running from the Royal Oak pub on Owl Lane near Dewsbury's FLAIR Stadium to the Gawthorpe Maypole, a distance of just over 1,000 metres, while carrying 50kg of coal.
They will do so the day after the latest instalment of the Batley versus Dewsbury rivalry in a Betfred Championship fixture at the Fox's Biscuits Stadium in Batley on Easter Sunday afternoon.
Paul Harrison, the Chief Executive of the Batley Bulldogs, has also put his hand up to run in the Veterans’ Race for over-40s – underlining his club’s close links to the Benevolent Fund, which were strengthened following the tragic death of Archie Bruce hours after his debut for the Bulldogs in Toulouse in 2019.
Archie came through the junior ranks at the Dewsbury Moor club, while the Benevolent Fund has also provided support to the former Celtic player David Roebuck until his death in 2018, and to Ryan Glynn since he was seriously injured playing for Shaw Cross in 2013.
Francis Stephenson, the General Manager of the Benevolent Fund, said:
“This is a classic example of the Rugby League family coming together to raise money for the Benevolent Fund, underlining the fact that we support players who suffer serious injuries in any form of the game, community as well as professional.
“Dewsbury Celtic, Dewsbury Moor and Shaw Cross are clubs at the heart of their community, and the same goes for Batley Bulldogs in the Championship.
“The World Coal-Carrying Championship is a tough physical challenge, so the first thing to say is thank you to the eight guys who will be taking on that challenge on Easter Monday to raise money for seriously-injured Rugby League players and their families.
“All eight – Adam Moor and Joel Russell from Shaw Cross, Joe Mitchell and Kian Fraser from Dewsbury Celtic, and Luke Adamson, Harry Hartley and Christian Floyd from Dewsbury Moor, not forgetting Paul Harrison from Batley Bulldogs – have made sacrifices and shown great commitment to get to the starting line.
“We’ll be spending the next few weeks until the race raising awareness throughout the sport, to generate the support they deserve from Rugby League fans.
“Every pound raised goes into the Benevolent Fund to ensure we can continue to provide long-term support for seriously-injured players and their families.”
To support any or all of the eight intrepid coal carriers, click here RL Benevolent Fund - World Coal Carrying Championships Team Challenge 2026 is fundraising for RFL Benevolent Fund