RFL launch project to improve touchline atmosphere

15th December 2010

The RFL has launched an initiative with the North West Counties Junior and Youth Leagues to improve match day environments for players, spectators and match officials.

Volunteers are being sought to help facilitate the eight week project which will identify good practice in local community clubs and assist in the enforcing of the Respect campaign in order to improve the overall match day environment. 

Peter Brooke, RFL North West Match Officials Development Officer said: "This is an exciting project which can only serve to benefit the local game.

"The idea for the initiative came about following a meeting with the Regional Leagues, RFL staff and Referees Societies. 

"We aim to identify both poor and good practice on match days using an independent group of volunteers covering randomly chosen matches.

"These findings will then be collated and presented to Leagues and Match Official societies who we hope will benefit from greater retention of players and match officials."

The RFL are looking for volunteers who have a keen interest in the game of Rugby League and will be able to give a few hours each Sunday to observe matches over the course of the initial project and complete a short report.

This will then be collated and presented to leagues and clubs to highlight good and bad practise, which in turn will help to address key areas to improve and identify good practice already in place. 

As part of this project we are looking to support the volunteers through safeguarding training, providing kit, tickets to some matches and further training opportunities. 

Applicants for the voluntary position must be over 18 years old and having a driving licence is preferable. 

Anyone interested in getting involved with this project should register their interest with Helen Hayes on helen.hayes@rfl.uk.com or Peter Brooke on peter.brooke@rfl.uk.com. The last date to receive expressions of interest is Tuesday January 4.