Cunningham backing National Lottery funding to help rugby league grow further

RUGBY league star Jodie Cunningham is backing funding provided by National Lottery players to further help grow the sport and ease issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The England and St Helens player spoke at Ashton Bears, a rugby league club awarded £24,176 of National Lottery funding through the Rugby League World Cup 2021 CreatedBy Grants Programme.

Cunningham was in attendance to highlight the excellent work of the club in expanding its women and girls programme, with the Bears now boasting four teams and 85 active female players.

So far, over £500,000 has been distributed by The National Lottery-supported CreatedBy Grants Programme to nearly 30 Rugby League clubs and community schemes.

"I'm really excited to be here alongside The National Lottery to celebrate all the work that Ashton Bears do to support the women and girls’ game," said Cunningham.

"I'm not sure we would have had half the success we have had over the last two years without National Lotteryfunding through the Rugby League World Cup 2021 CreatedBy Grants Programme. I think the last two years have been the best two years for growth of women's and girls' rugby league by every measure.

The funding has been invested into the club to provide two new pitches giving more playing capacity and more opportunities for women and girls to play the sport.

"Ashton Bears' work has been brilliant, and I think it is so important that we celebrate the work that goes in from these community clubs to grow the women's and girls’ game.

"There are lots of people who are working really hard to get behind the game, but it takes incredible volunteers and people who give up their time."

Last year more than £1M of National Lottery funding was used to support the Rugby Football