In 2018 Wakefield Trinity Community Trust piloted two new derivatives of Rugby League; Physical Disability RL and Learning Disability RL.
Such was the success of enabling disabled people the opportunity to play a sport they never have or that they were told they could no longer that Trinity launched the 2019 season with great success.
Saturday 2nd February saw more than 60 people attend the Mobile Rocket Stadium to hear the developments of PDRL and LDRL as well as an update on the forthcoming Wheelchair Rugby League format.
Among the attendees were Catteralls Solicitors who have thrown their support behind the initiative to send three physically disabled Rugby League players to Australia for an experience they will never forget. The main PDRL shirt sponsors have named the Community Trust as their ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2019 and will take on the Yorkshire Warrior on April 13th as part of their fundraising efforts.
We also heard how a new partnership with a local care provider will benefit the LDRL team with more than 40 adults with learning disabilities to be introduced to the sport this year and plenty of opportunity to play Rugby League.
Wakefield Trinity also unveiled their new Team Manager for Disability Rugby League, Anthony Baker, who will be overseeing both provisions across the year. He was blown away by the support within the local community.
“I wasn’t part of the club last year but I know that the launch last year only had around twelve people in the room and a few of those were club officials. This year there were more people than we accommodated for with chairs and tables. It was great to see the excitement to get things started and hear about some of the exciting developments in comparison to the pilot year last season.”
Trust Manager, Craig Shepherd, added, “We understand there will be decisions made on fixtures for the coming year in the next few weeks as well as some key partners being announced at governing body level. We would like to thank our sponsors thus far for backing our commitment to provide opportunities to play sport and become more physically active through the tool of Rugby League.”
If you know someone who has a physical or learning disability and may wish to try Rugby League, please let us know on 01924 211611 or craig.shepherd@wakefieldtrinity.com