Rugby League Cares is again representing the sport on a global stage in North Carolina this week, with CEO Chris Rostron attending the 2026 PAADS Athlete Development Summit at NASCAR’s R&D Center on the outskirts of Charlotte.
PAADS - the Professional Association of Athlete Development Specialists – was founded in 2011, formalising a concept that had grown from the NFL and NBA to bring together the leading thinkers in athlete development in North America.
It has become a global organisation in recent years, with RL Cares joining the likes of the Premier League, the ATP and WTA from tennis, and the NRL in sharing best practice and developing training programmes.
The annual Athlete Development Summit is a key part of that work and Steve McCormack, Director of Welfare and Well-Being for RL Cares, was invited as a keynote speaker last May.
Chris Rostron said:
“It’s exciting to be out here representing Rugby League at such a significant global event.
“RL Cares have been a member of PAADS for the last four years, and Steve McCormack has done an incredible job fostering relationships with other sports, particularly with their well-being and welfare leads. His dedication has set a strong foundation for us to build upon.
“It’s a four-day conference which presents an exceptional opportunity to hear from some of the best minds in world sport and learn how they support the ongoing development of their athletes.
“In our world of Rugby League, we sometimes have a tendency to downplay our achievements. However, I can confidently assert that the support we provide to our athletes is among the best globally, comparable to more prominent and better-resourced sports.
“At the heart of our success are the remarkable individuals within Rugby League. It is their passion and commitment that truly make a difference when working alongside athletes and their families.
“The speaker line-up is nothing short of fantastic, covering a diverse array of topics centred around elite athlete well-being. Engaging with others in this space is invaluable, and I have no doubt that this trip will prove worthwhile.
"Moreover, I’m hopeful that we can further develop our networks and relationships with other sports—something essential for our continued success.”
Chris will be providing further updates from North Carolina later this week.