Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Rugby League World Cup 2022

25 October 2022 · 6 other contributors · 4,233 words

Opened by Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South

Responding minister: Stuart Andrew

Culture, Media & Sport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Judith Cummins raised concerns about rugby league world cup 2022 in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Hon. Member raised concerns about challenges faced during Rugby League World Cup preparation, highlighting its importance for communities.
  • Hon. Member asked for continued government support for the tournament's legacy, including investments in facilities and education.
  • Minister acknowledged wide support for the tournament and the sport of rugby league from Members.

Key requests to Government

The hon. Member asks for continued support of the Rugby League World Cup legacy, including investments in facilities and education to ensure a strong future for rugby league. She also encourages MPs to attend matches and experience the sport's cultural impact firsthand.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South

The hon. Member is concerned about the challenges faced during the preparation for the Rugby League World Cup, which began in November 2015 and spanned a global pandemic and multiple crises. She highlighted the importance of rugby league as a unifying force for communities, especially in northern towns and cities. The world cup promises to make a huge impact on culture and sport in the UK, with simultaneous men's, women's, and wheelchair tournaments. The event includes significant investment in facilities, volunteering, mental fitness, education, and international development programmes.

Other contributors (6)
  • Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North

    I thank Kim Leadbeater for raising the point about legacy work in communities. I recently visited Woolston Rovers to see its new changing room facilities, which were provided through the legacy fund. Does the Minister agree that we are able to share not only the culture of the sport but also the cultures of nations hosting teams in our communities? In Warrington, the Papua New Guinea team has been actively sharing their culture with local schools and people. Additionally, Charlotte Nichols invites the Minister or another government official to attend the physical disability rugby league world cup hosted at Victoria Park.

  • Jason McCartney

    I congratulate Kim Leadbeater on her chairmanship of the all-party parliamentary rugby league group. We have a quarter-final game in Huddersfield next Friday, and I agree that the inclusion of women's and wheelchair games highlights inclusivity.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    I commend Kim Leadbeater for securing this debate. The focus on team sports can encourage young people to join teams, which builds character and self-esteem while reducing social isolation.

  • Jonathan Gullis Lab Ealing Central and Acton

    The hon. Member, in response to an intervention by another MP, expresses his passion for rugby league and looks forward to attending a match with his father over the weekend.

  • Kim Leadbeater Lab Spen Valley

    I am proud of the excellent rugby league clubs in Batley and Spen, including the Batley Bulldogs. The Rugby League World Cup provides opportunities for more people to get involved in grassroots rugby league.

  • Luke Pollard Lab Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

    The hon. Member acknowledges the inclusivity of the Rugby League World Cup and its potential to strengthen grassroots rugby league post-pandemic.

Government Response

Stuart Andrew

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies. I thank the hon. Member for Bradford South (Judith Cummins) for securing this important debate. In these challenging times, it is nice to be able to debate a good subject that is not too challenging. I know there is wide support for the tournament and the sport of rugby league from Members through the all-party parliamentary group's work. The Government are committed to building and maintaining our world-leading status for hosting major sporting events in this country. Despite postponement, the tournament has started successfully with over 43,000 fans watching the opening match at St James's Park. The rugby league world cup kicked off on 15 October with a match that saw England men take on the Samoan men, and matches have continued right across the north of England. The tournament's social impact programme focuses on facility investments, mental fitness, inclusive volunteering, and international development, seeing investment in 38 club houses, 22 changing rooms, 18 pitches, and 102 kit and equipment packs. The tournament has also partnered with Movember for a mental fitness programme reaching over 4,000 players. A strong social impact helps ensure benefits to the whole country. The rugby league world cup offers culture opportunities through fan zones near venues and cultural festival programmes across library services in England's north. Benefits brought by the tournament are clear, with the UK having a fantastic track record of hosting events such as this one. The Government is committed to continuing to build on our track record and bringing more events like the world cup to the United Kingdom.

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