Askam have pulled out of the National Conference League.
The Furness outfit informed the flagship league’s administrator Alan Smith on Wednesday evening that they would not be fulfilling the weekend’s home League A fixture with Kells, or any future games at Open Age level this year.
Smith told member clubs: “A number of their players at present have Covid and others have now said that they could not commit to playing for the foreseeable future, which leaves the club in a position where they would struggle to fulfil fixtures for each game, so have taken the very difficult decision to pull out.”
He concluded: “A decision will be made regarding the results from their games played – and, also, Gateshead’s games, in due course.”
Gateshead had withdrawn from the NCL seven days earlier, citing similar reasons; eleven of that weekend’s 21 scheduled fixtures were cancelled or postponed, with isolations through Covid given as the reason each time.
Six of the weekend’s planned 22 fixtures, including Askam’s, fell by the wayside through Covid-19.
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THE winter-based Pennine League is conducting a survey of clubs and will, having analysed responses, confirm a starting date for the 2021-22 campaign.
Secretary Sue Taylor said: “The management is aware that many of the die-hard Pennine `winter` clubs have opted to join the (summer-based) Yorkshire Men’s League, which is understandable given the impact Covid has had on all sports. However, we are also aware that the YML isn’t scheduled to finish until mid-October, which overlaps well into the normal Pennine season”
She continued: “The league is receiving numerous calls regarding when the Pennine League will commence. To enable the league to move forward in compiling leagues etc, emails have been sent out to existing clubs for constructive feedback, views and suggestions from clubs and players regarding such as start and finish dates to the season, the number of teams per division and thoughts on play-offs and Pennine Cup competitions.”
Clubs have been given until Monday 19 July to respond and Taylor concluded: “The management will collate all the information and work with clubs to formulate a positive start to the Pennine League.”
Meanwhile, new clubs interested in playing in the Pennine League should contact Taylor by emailing huddsarl@hotmail.com
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WORLD CUP awards totalling over £200,000 have recently been made to amateur Rugby League clubs and organisations through the CreatedBy Small Grants scheme, taking the amount through that source to more than £1.4million.
That sum can be added to the £4million pumped into grassroots Rugby League via the larger-scale CreatedBy capital grants programme.
Latest beneficiaries, spanning the breadth of England, are:
LONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST
Brighton and Hove Rugby League: £3,900 towards kit and equipment to help launch a new Rugby League club in Sussex.
Bromley Bengals: £3,600 to help buy equipment to support Under 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s teams.
Invicta Panthers (Maidstone): £4,100 towards kit and equipment to nurture the sport at the Panthers’ new long-term home at Bicknor Road – with exclusive use of the clubhouse and facilities during the Rugby League season.
CUMBRIA
Millom have received £11,000 towards the cost of drainage improvements, to enable year-round use of the ground.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE
Birchwood Community High School, Warrington: £2,400 towards kit and equipment to launch two girls and two boys teams at Under 14s and Under 16s, in addition to delivering after-school sessions in partnership with Warrington Wolves Foundation.
Garswood Stags: £2,500 is being donated towards pitch relocation, and equipment for new Masters and Under 7s sections.
Lancaster University are getting £400 to fund equipment for Tag Rugby League.
Preston North End Community and Education Trust: £2,000 will help pay for playing equipment needed to develop Rugby League in the area.
Rainford High School, St Helens will be able to develop their girls’ RL programme, having received £1,700 towards vital kit and equipment.
St Gregory’s Catholic High School, Warrington: £3,200 will support extra-curricular Rugby League activity, including for pupils with special educational needs.
St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Warrington: After-school Rugby League sessions will be supported by equipment costing £250.
Shevington Sharks, Wigan: £2,600 has been awarded towards kit and equipment to help grow participation in girls’ and touch/tag programmes.
Spring View, Wigan: A grant of £2,300 to help meet the cost of equipment for the club’s junior and open age teams.
Swinton Lions Community Sports Foundation: The Jose Kenga Rugby League Diversity Programme will be further supported by a grant of £2,700.
Wigan St Patricks: £10,000 will be used towards the installation and upgrade of floodlighting for training in low-daylight months.
Wigan Warriors Community Foundation: A new wheelchair Rugby League programme in the area will be supported by a £16,000 grant.
MIDLANDS
De Montfort University, Leicester: £1,900 will help purchase kit and equipment for a Nines side, and will also help introduce students to Tag Rugby League.
Leamington Royals will receive £3,000 for vital kit and equipment for Under 15s and Under 12s teams.
Telford Raiders: £6,300 will be used towards kit and equipment for new junior teams in Telford, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.
NORTH EAST
Ponteland High School, Northumberland – £900 to help fund equipment needed to introduce Rugby League into the school’s extra-curricular activity.
SOUTH-WEST
Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport (South Somerset): A Tag Leaders programme for up to 15 colleges in England will be supported by an award of £3,600.
Swindon St George Wheelchair: £8,900 is being donated to help re-form the section, and to help generate new learning disability Rugby League activity.
YORKSHIRE
Ackworth Jaguars, Wakefield, will get £1,400 for equipment to help rebuild the club.
Brighouse Rangers Colts: The number of junior teams should be increased by a £3,700 grant for kit and equipment.
Club Doncaster Foundation: £10,000 will be used for the creation of a new training and playing area for the Foundation’s college teams, plus equipment to generate new activity.
Cottingham Tigers (East Riding): £16,500 will help fund the club’s floodlight project.
Eagles Foundation, Sheffield: Sheffield Eagles’ partners will use £1,670 to buy equipment for a new wheelchair club.
Hunslet Warriors are receiving £19,000 to transform an old physio room into a kitchen and serving area for refreshments. Disused space is being converted into a new physio room and female changing room.
Seacroft Sports and Social Club, Leeds: £10,200 will fund an attractive social space for families and children.
Wakefield Trinity Community Trust: A new wheelchair side will be formed through the purchase of wheelchairs and equipment with a £14,100 grant.
York Acorn have benefited from £20,000 towards the refurbishment of the club’s changing rooms, shower facilities and boiler room.
Yorkshire Junior and Youth Amateur Rugby League: £12,000 will help fund a Cubs Programme, via member club, for children under the age of 6, with the aim of providing a fun and welcoming environment to Rugby League.
The Rugby Football League’s Vice-President Mike Smith said: “Through CreatedBy funding we are building a lasting legacy for Rugby League. As the number of people regularly participating in Rugby League continues to grow, it’s essential that the quality of facilities and support services keep pace. Through these latest awards we are building strong foundations for the future of the game in communities across the country.”
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, added: ““Our CreatedBy grants programme amounts to an unprecedented level of investment in the game, with many awards having an immediate and important impact at grassroots level. We look forward to announcing more funding support in the very near future.”
Further funding applications can be made by visiting rlwc2021.com/facilities
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