PROFESSIONAL RUGBY CLUBS LAUNCH LEARNING DISABILITY SUPER LEAGUE
February 15, 2019
The Super League and the UK’s Rugby Football League (RFL) have partnered with the charity Community Integrated Care to form an inclusive sports programme for people with learning disabilities and autism.
This initiative is the first ever example of a professional sports league sharing its brand with a learning disability sports programme.
The ‘Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League’ will give people with learning disabilities the opportunity to play an adapted version of Rugby League in a series of high-profile festivals and events. The programme promotes the development of skills, confidence and positive experiences for people with learning disabilities, and aims to make a major statement about social inclusion.
The inclusive competition is supported by eleven founder clubs who have established or will be developing Learning Disability Rugby League teams: Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants, Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos, Newcastle Thunder, Salford Red Devils, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves, Widnes Vikings, Wigan Warriors and York City Knights.
Learning Disability Rugby League is a specially adapted non-competitive game, which focuses on encouraging participation and skills development. To support the success of this programme, Community Integrated Care is providing specialist training to all participating clubs, as well as direct investment into the sport.
Community Integrated Care is one of Britain’s biggest social care charities, supporting over 3500 people who have learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns and dementia across England and Scotland. The charity has developed several pioneering sports and social care programmes, including initiatives with leading Rugby League clubs that have been recognised at the National Dementia Care Awards, 3rd Sector Care Awards and the Great British Care Awards.
The announcement comes as part of a wider strategic partnership between Community Integrated Care, the Super League and the RFL, which aims to develop and enhance the community programmes provided by the sport to people with care and support needs. As the Official Social Care Partner of the sport, the charity will be leading the development of a range of programmes that will use Rugby League to transform the lives of people who require care and support.