Rugby league’s community clubs face fight for survival in lockdown

Many of rugby league’s amateur clubs could be facing a fight for survival because of the unique impact Covid-19 has had on the community game.

Because of the way the seasons run, income has “fallen off the edge of a cliff” after more than a year without matches.

And club volunteers in some of the country’s most deprived communities fear it could be a devastating blow to the health and welfare of a generation of youngsters, particularly across the north of England heartlands.

A potential “lasting legacy of heartache”.

“The timing of the pandemic could not have been worse for community rugby league,” Mike Denning, chairman of St Helens-based Thatto Heath Crusaders, who play in the National Conference League told BBC Sport.

“As a sport we put as much energy in as any other sport. But because of our season – we start in February or March and run through to October – the lockdown couldn’t have come at a worse time.

“We were locked down after playing just one game in 2020. Everything stopped.”

He continued: “Cricket didn’t do as badly, they had a truncated season. Football and rugby union were nearly at the end of their season, so they could put a bit of wool on their backs.

“But we had come from a season that ended the previous October and didn’t really start again. That’s what differentiates us from other sports. We still have electricity bills, gas bills, insurance and rent to pay, but the income had just fallen off the edge of the cliff.

“I don’t want to scaremonger, but the reality is that, without help, some clubs will fold.”