British Asian RLA joins Parliamentary RL Group

[Honor James]

The British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) has joined the Parliamentary Rugby League Group as an Associate Member.

The Parliamentary Rugby League Group comprises circa 70 Members of both Houses of Parliament drawn from all parties.  It welcomes individuals, clubs and organisations as Associate Members.  One of the more active Parliamentary Groups, it meets monthly when Parliament is sitting to discuss matters associate with the sport and take forward issues to politicians and government officials.

Celebrating its 10th year in 2014, BARA joins bodies within the game such as Combined Services Rugby League, BARLA, Rugby League Cares, 1eagu3 and the RFL, as well as clubs at all levels and commercial bodies.

BARA encourages South Asians to participate in sport and physical activity through rugby, as well as addressing social issues such as low educational attainment, citizenship, health, crime, social inclusion and racism.  It has created an infrastructure to support and assist more South Asians to play rugby and help Asian Unions to improve their standards on and off the field.

Group Chairman, Leeds North West MP, Greg Mulholland said “we’re very pleased that BARA has joined the Parliamentary Rugby League Group.  Rugby league is the most welcoming of sports and the groundbreaking cross-code work of BARA in that role is very important.  We share the same ethos and they are most welcome.

Ikram Butt, CEO of BARA and England Rugby League international, said “the Parliamentary Rugby League Group is an incredibly important part of rugby league in the UK.  To have the opportunity to meet with decision makers and discuss the game to the point where action is taken is vitally important.  We are proud to become and Associate Member and look forward to continuing to support rugby league."