The UK National Lottery has entered into a commercial partnership with the English Rugby Football League (RFL) and Women’s and Girls’ Rugby League.
An official partner
As per the agreement, the National Lottery will see its branding feature across the sport’s premier men’s and women’s fixtures in England and match tickets and VIP experience will be made available to win to lottery players.
Boost for Women’s rugby league
The lottery will also be the title sponsor for England Women’s mid-season international against Wales at Warrington on June 25.
This partnership will certainly give a boost for the women’s league, of which almost the entire 2020 season was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that the vast majority of women and girls have not played rugby since autumn 2019.
“But we bounce back with this new commercial partnership and with the support of the National Lottery, and we look forward to kicking off our vibrant domestic competitions, followed by a mid-season International, and the excitement of a home World Cup this autumn”, said RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston also warmly welcomed the deal, commenting that this was “great news” and that “this funding […] will provide the sport with certainty as we work towards getting crowds back at matches as soon as possible”.
A crucial support
The National Lottery is a crucial support for UK sports. It has notably lent its support to many organisations to help them through the pandemic such as Wheelchair Tennis and Rugby Union Sevens. It has also booted grassroots sports by awarding more than £150m to organisations across the country.
A new partnership with Team GB, Great Britain’s Olympic team, and the Paralympics GB squad was announced last week by National Lottery operator Camelot.
