THE Rugby Football League’s ‘More Than A Sport – 2025 End of Year Report’ encompasses all sections of the amateur game in England ahead of what, in 2026, could be a pivotal year for the sport.
The National Community Rugby League (NCRL) initiative, through which the RFL aims to reinvigorate the grassroots at all levels, not least men’s open age, is now in place and the RFL stated: “Continued progress (is) being made towards the Community Strategy & Vision 2022–2030.
“The year 2025 was defined by growth, modernisation and a renewed focus on Rugby League’s values, (ensuring that) processes are consistent with the RFL operational rules (and that) competitions remain locally delivered but governed within a clear national framework.”
The report continued: “A tiered competition structure (at men’s open age) was developed to create clearer progression pathways.
“Primary Rugby League (PRL) was separated from the competition structure to reflect its development-first ethos, while a significant number of volunteers have already stepped forward to support the transition into the new governance model.
“Their willingness to take on roles within the competition management groups has been central to the progress made in 2025.
“These volunteers bring experience, credibility, and a deep understanding of their local competitions, ensuring that the NCRL is shaped and delivered by people who know the community game best.”
The RFL enthused: “Early benefits are already visible, including clearer governance, reduced duplication, improved alignment between competitions and stronger foundations for behaviour and welfare improvements.”
The report highlighted growth, in 2025, across key participation areas, major governance reform, and an expanding social impact footprint, stressing: “The sport has continued to demonstrate that Rugby League is more than a sport. It is a community, a development pathway and a force for positive change.”
Meanwhile, the RFL cites a 2.9 percent increase in participation numbers from 2024 at primary, junior, youth, education, inclusion, and social Rugby League levels.
The report revealed: “All under 18 age groups grew, with particularly strong gains in primary girls (+16.5 percent) and youth boys (+6.6 percent).
“Disability variants grew by 10.9 percent, with record engagement in Wheelchair RL (+12.9 percent) and Learning Disability RL (+13.7 percent).
“Growth across girls’ leagues strengthened competitive opportunities across women’s tiers while school participation increased by 6 percent, the new Champion Schools format was delivered successfully, and women’s 9s was confirmed as a BUCS competition for 2026.
“Social Rugby League, with Touch (+17 percent) and Masters (+3 percent) continued to expand, with Women’s Masters experiencing another breakthrough year.”
However, concerns – which have led to the launch of National Leagues and Regional Conferences in place of the National Conference League – continue regarding men’s open-age RL.
“The sustained decline in open-age participation is one of the clearest indicators of why structural reform has been necessary,” the report states.
“The introduction of the NCRL provides the sport with a modern, nationally consistent competition framework designed to address the issues that have contributed to falling adult participation.
“The new structure will ultimately create more balanced leagues, reduce mismatches over the longer term, improve behaviour and support a more sustainable open-age environment.
“The 2025 data reinforces the importance of this reform and demonstrates the need for a competition model that better reflects the realities of today’s community game.
“Bringing together 23 leagues under a single framework presents a significant challenge. The creation of the National Community Rugby League (NCRL) represents the most substantial governance reform in over two decades and provides the structural foundation for longterm sustainability.
“Once embedded, the NCRL will bring consistent rules, clearer competition pathways and reduced administrative burdens, ensuring that growth in younger age groups is supported by a stable, modern, and development-appropriate competition framework.
“While progress has been considerable, challenges remain — particularly in open-age participation, behaviour, and regional disparities.
“The work undertaken this year provides a clearer foundation for addressing these issues as the sport moves into full NCRL implementation in 2026.”
The RFL revealed: “Our work in growing the game focused on two main areas: attracting new players and retaining new players from year to year.
“Every year our sport experiences player churn. Many new players are attracted to the sport each year, while significant numbers are also lost to the sport.
“All sports experience such churn, but reducing the numbers will result in the number of participants increasing at a greater rate.
“Retention remained a major focus throughout 2025, with work centred on improving the experience of young players, strengthening development environments and reducing barriers to long-term participation.”
The long-term future of clubs is recognised as being paramount and the RFL stressed: “Supporting (their) sustainability remained a key focus throughout 2025.
“The RFL continued to provide guidance, signposting and practical support to help clubs strengthen governance, improve resilience and access opportunities that enhance their off-field stability.”
Meanwhile, the RFL lauded “steady growth” across the Southern Regions, “with progress driven by stronger competition structures, improved local delivery capacity and targeted support for clubs and volunteers.
“The introduction of designated competition management and administration support made a significant difference to the stability of Southern competitions. Participation across the Southern Regions increased in 2025, with strong growth in girls’ Rugby League, primary and junior activity and Wheelchair Rugby League.
“The London Junior League continued to expand, and pockets of new activity emerged in the West of England. Women and girls’ development was supported through targeted seed funding, festivals, and club-led delivery.
“The continued rise of the London Broncos Women — now competing in the Championship and pushing for WSL promotion — reflects the growing depth and ambition within the region.
“Wheelchair Rugby League exceeded expectations, with ten teams now active across the South and a dedicated Southern League established. The success of the London Roosters in the Super League has further raised the profile of the format and inspired new entrants.”
And, in schools, colleges, and universities “the focus remained on providing high-quality, development-focused opportunities for young people while supporting brain-health recommendations and ensuring that Rugby League remains visible and accessible across the education landscape.”