Wakefield Trinity have teamed-up with Smoke-Free Touchlines, a campaign supported by Wakefield Council to encourage adults and young people to avoid smoking in areas where children play sport.

The smoke free side-lines ambition is to support all adults involved in youth rugby across Wakefield to understand their responsibility as positive role models. It is about promoting a sports club as a healthy and inclusive place, where the wellbeing of all, but particularly children and young people, is a priority.

The ambition in Wakefield is for all young people’s sports clubs to be smoke-free and Wakefield Trinity will work with local clubs Eastmoor Dragons, Crigglestone All Blacks, Sharlston Rovers, Stanley Rangers and Normanton Knights to emphasise the philosophy.

It is anticipated that parents will recognise what the initiative is trying to achieve and adhere to the rule. The campaign will give parents the opportunity to report smoking on the touch-lines or in the view of children, to the Touchline Manager’s associated with each club.

The scheme will involve professional players from Wakefield Trinity delivering key messages to young players and their parents to understand the benefits of a smoke-free environment, particularly where sports are played frequently.

The Wakefield Trinity Community Trust General Manager, Craig Shepherd added, “We believe that Smoke-Free Touchlines is a very positive initiative which meets our philosophy of creating a safe and engaging environment for young players to learn and develop.”

“It’s a great campaign that encourages healthy behaviours. Rugby League prides itself in being a family sport and therefore we care just as much about the parents, guardians and siblings of our young players as we do about them and we’re delighted to be involved with the message it is promoting.”

Anna Hartley, Director of Public Health at Wakefield Council, said: “As part of our Tobacco Alliance action plan we have committed to reducing the number of young people who smoke within our district. One of the best ways for us to do this is to stop smoking being seen as ‘the norm’ and this scheme is a fantastic example of that.”

Councillor Pat Garbutt, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Communities at Wakefield Council, said: “We are looking forward to working with Wakefield Trinity Community Trust including  professional rugby players, to put across  a very important message to young people, parents and supporters that a smoke-free life, is a healthier life.”

For further information on how your club can become involved please contact Craig Shepherd via email to craig.shepherd@wakefieldtrinity.com