Rugby League World Cup 2021 have announced a partnership with one of Britain’s biggest and most successful social care charities, Community Integrated Care.
Community Integrated Care will be working with RLWC2021 to develop a series of unique opportunities that will enable people with care and support needs, and the dedicated people who assist them, to connect with the tournament.
The partnership will see the charity create several accessible resources that will give people who access social care support new opportunities to develop life-skills, enjoy social opportunities and have fun, drawing upon the inspiration and excitement generated by the tournament. It is also creating a series of innovative new programmes in RLWC2021 host communities that will promote the health, happiness and inclusion of people who have support needs.
Community Integrated Care is one of the most significant care providers in the UK, supporting almost 4000 people across England and Scotland. The charity is the leading care provider in many of the RLWC2021 host communities, giving it a unique ability to engage people who access social care services with the tournament.
The charity has a long-term commitment to developing social inclusion opportunities through rugby league, having worked with several professional clubs and their charitable foundations for many years, as well as being the Official Social Care Partner of both the RFL and Super League. Working alongside RLWC2021, this new partnership has a profound opportunity to significantly scale and further develop this body of work. The unique partnership between the sport and social care provider is already delivering positive change
In 2021, England will welcome nations to the 16th Rugby League World Cup, where for the first time in history, the men’s, women’s and wheelchair games will be played concurrently. The event has a major focus on championing inclusivity and delivering a profound positive legacy.
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of RLWC2021 said: “We are proud to be working with Community Integrated Care, in order to further deliver genuine social impact via our legacy programme.
“This is a leading-edge partnership with a social care provider, where both the sport of rugby league and Community Integrated Care is making a positive difference together. Community Integrated Care have demonstrated their ability to improve the quality of people’s lives through engagement with rugby league and we look forward to building on this work.
Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do, and this partnership is another step forward in achieving our ambition of being the most inclusive Rugby League World Cup ever.”
John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care said:
“We are inspired by the bold ambition put forward by the Rugby League World Cup 2021 of making this the most inclusive rugby league event ever. In this unique partnership, Community Integrated Care has an incredible platform to make this vision a reality for thousands of people who access care and support.
“Our charity is dedicated to creating opportunities that enable people to lead fuller, happier lives and help to influence a more inclusive society. The opportunity to achieve this by drawing upon the power and influence of such an iconic global event is unprecedented. We are grateful to the RLWC2021 for their vision and commitment to inclusion and look forward to achieving great things together with this partnership.”