Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons and President of the Rugby Football League, generously hosted the event, which was organised by RL Cares and featured representatives from the health sector, Parliamentarians, RFL guests and the charity’s partners, including Movember, Slater Heelis, All Sport Insurance Howorth Air Tech and the Bartlett Group.
Sir Lindsay said: “As a lifelong rugby league fan it was a real privilege to host the event at Speaker’s House. I have been fortunate to speak, and listen, to families who have benefited from the work of Rugby League Cares, and it always leaves me feeling truly proud of the rugby league community.
“We are leaders for others to follow. It’s the acts of kindness and the lengths to which people go to support others that makes our sport so special and I am delighted to welcome RL Cares here tonight.”
RL Cares Chief Executive Chris Rostron said: “It was wonderful to be able to host so many people who get behind the work of the charity at such a prestigious and historic location.
“We would like to thank Sir Lindsay for his support and his continued commitment to the work we do.”
The reception provided an opportunity for RL Cares to outline the many ways in which empowers people in rugby league communities to thrive.
RL Cares Head of Community Emma Goldsmith delivered a powerful presentation about the successful impact of Movember Ahead of the Game, which has so far been delivered to almost 30,000 young people, their parents, carers and coaches.
Emma spoke of the important role rugby league clubs have at the heart of their communities, and how Ahead of the Game is empowering the different generations within those communities to talk to each other about their mental wellbeing.
Movember Ahead of the Game is delivered by RL Cares’s highly-skilled team of former professional rugby league players, including Keith Senior and Bob Beswick, both of whom revealed details of how the programme had changed their own lives for the better.
Movember’s Global Director of Health Promotion Sarah Coghlan described the organisation’s partnership with RL Cares as “world class” because of the way in which Ahead of the Game underlined the need for community-based interventions.
“This partnership enables us to get in front of young boys who are struggling with their identity, who may be wondering what they need to do to become a ‘good man’,” said Coghlan.
“The work RL Cares does is helping to give young people the language and the skills to tackle their emotional challenges, their vulnerabilities and, frankly, to get through life.”
The reception was also attended by representatives of Wigan Warriors and Penrith Panthers ahead of the World Club Challenge, won by Wigan just a few days later.
RL Cares would like to thank everyone who attended this fantastic event, including Sky Sports presenter Jenna Brooks who kindly acted as our MC on the evening.