Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) has announced the latest recipients of its large grants for community clubs and organisations, with Wigan based rugby league club, Orrell St James ARLFC being granted an award. As part of the tournament’s wider InspirationALL legacy initiative, Orrell St James have received £140,000 to fund a new clubhouse and changing rooms.

The CreatedBy Capital programme is focused on improving existing facilities or creating new ones with the aim of building community hubs and encouraging more people to play rugby league. As well as delivering a wider social impact to the local residents of communities in which they are based. These much-needed investments come as a boost during a challenging time, with the projects representing the hard work of the volunteers that have made them happen.

The grant will be used for a new high-quality clubhouse, brand new changing facilities and two new playing pitches that will accommodate the club's expanding teams and players and will change the fortunes of Orrell St James ARLFC. The aim is to boost membership further and encourage more participation from the local community, with emphasis on the growth of its girls and women’s teams.

David Livesley, Chair at Orrell St James ARLFC, commented: “Orrell St James are really pleased to be working in partnership with the RLWC2021 and RFL to support the development of our community club. We are increasing the capacity to grow Rugby League participation and develop the facilities from the RLWC2021 Legacy Funding.
“Applying for the funding helped make sure that we had the right project for Orrell St James, using professional and technical advice, so this large-scale project has the right specifications to include the whole community.

“We use rugby league as a tool to keep the whole Orrell and Wigan Community active and engaged. We look forward to continue working with all the partners and delivering a fantastic facility to host our ever-growing players and volunteers.”
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, added: “A staggering £2million invested in these projects will undoubtedly have a very positive impact on the future of rugby league. Wigan is of course a rugby league stronghold, and the work that Orrell St James ARFLC do for aspiring rugby league players made them worthy recipients of this award via our CreatedBy capital grants programme.

“We are confident that these new developments will become established hubs for local people, help local players at a grassroots level and have a real positive impact on the development of rugby league in the future.”

The other recipients are:
Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC (Copeland)
Dewsbury Moor ARLFC (Kirklees)
Westhoughton Lions (Bolton)
Drighlington ARFLC (Leeds)

The CreatedBy Capital programme is funded by government investment and delivered in partnership with the RFL and Sport England.

Follow all the latest news via www.RLWC2021.com and the official social media channels, on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.