All-­‐Party  Parliamentary  Rugby  League  Group     Ordinary  Meeting  Minutes     31  January  2017  Committee  Room  18  

 

 

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Meeting  commenced  1803  

In  Attendance  Members:  Greg  Mulholland  MP  (in  the  Chair);  Catherine  West  MP;  Paula  Sherriff  MP;  Lord  Smith  of  Leigh  

Honorary  Life  Members  (all,  no  affiliation):  Spen  Allison;  Michael  Denning;  Martin  Coyd  OBE  

Organisational  Associate  Members:  Chris  Rostron,  Brigid  Power,  Tony  Collins  (Rugby  League  Cares);  Andrew  Jackson  (London  Skolars);  Nicola  Hudson  (Supporters  Direct);  Martyn  Cheney,  Ash  Lucas  (Bramley  Buffaloes)  

Individual  Associate  Members  (all,  no  affiliation):  Gavin  Willacy;  David  Ballheimer;  Judi  Knox;  Ron  Knox;  James  Chespy;  Kevin  Ward;  Debbie  Knight  

Secretariat:  Jack  Baker;  Mark  Ramsdale    

Welcome  The  Chairman  welcomed  all  in  attendance  to  the  first  Group  meeting  of  2017,  and  particularly  new  Individual  Associate  Members  Mick  Frain  and  Mathew  Lancaster.    

Apologies  Members:  Jo  Stevens  MP;  Ian  Liddell-­‐Grainger  MP;  Derek  Twigg  MP;  Mark  Pawsey  MP;  Graham  Brady  MP;  Yvonne  Fovargue  MP;  Lord  Prescott;  Marie  Rimmer  MP  

Honorary  Life  Members  (all,  no  affiliation):  Sir  Rodney  Walker;  Sir  Ian  McCartney;  Nigel  Wood;  David  Hinchliffe;  Sally  Bolton  OBE  

Organisational  Associate  Members:  John  Piercy  (London  Skolars);  Trevor  Hunt  (RLWBA);  Ian  Wilson  (Rugby  Oldham);  Ralph  Rimmer,  Jon  Dutton  (RFL);  Alistair  Davis,  Phill  Browne  (Try  Tag  Rugby);  Tom  Todd  (Whitehaven  RLFC);  Sue  Taylor  (BARLA)    Individual  Associate  Members  (all,  no  affiliation):  Iain  McIlwee;  Simon  Moat;  Steve  Evans;  Chris  Ashton;  Darren  Williams  

Minutes  of  the  Previous  Meeting  The  minutes  of  the  Group’s  previous  meeting  were  agreed  to  be  an  accurate  account.    

Matters  Arising  The  Secretariat  raised  the  following  ongoing  activities  not  covered  by  the  meeting’s  agenda:  

•   The  Secretariat  is  liaising  with  Rt  Hon.  Alan  Johnson  MP  to  organise  the  presentation  of  the  Group’s  Super  League  Player  of  the  Year  award  to  Danny  Houghton.  

•   The  Secretariat  is  liaising  with  Officers  on  a  design  for  a  Group  scarf  as  an  alternative  to  the  Group  tie.  

  All-­‐Party  Parliamentary  Rugby  League  Group     Ordinary  Meeting  Minutes     31  January  2017  Committee  Room  18  

 

 

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Correspondence  •   The  Group  wrote  to  the  Sports  Minister  and  Chief  Executive  of  the  Rugby  Football  Union,  expressing  its  concerns  over  

the  contractual  dispute  with  regard  to  Denny  Solomona.      •   The  Group  wrote  to  the  Chief  Executive  of  Sheffield  Eagles  regarding  their  planned  relocation  to  Wakefield  for  the  

2017  season  and  offering  support  for  the  return  of  the  club  to  Sheffield.  The  Group  received  a  note  of  thanks  in  response,  and  also  a  letter  from  Richard  Caborn,  Chairman  of  Legacy  Park  Ltd  (a  company  set  up  by  Sheffield  City  Council,  Sheffield  Hallam  University  and  Sheffield  Teaching  Hospitals  NHS  Foundation  Trust  to  regenerate  the  Don  Valley  site),  outlining  their  work  with  the  Eagles  to  bring  them  back  to  Sheffield  as  soon  as  possible.      

•   The  Group  wrote  to  The  Private  Secretary  to  Prince  Harry,  welcoming  him  to  his  role  as  Patron  of  the  RFL.  •   The  Group  wrote  to  BBC  Director  of  Sport,  Barbara  Slater,  welcoming  the  BBC’s  commitment  to  provide  live  coverage  

of  at  least  16  2021  Rugby  League  World  Cup  matches  on  BBC  One  or  BBC  Two,  with  the  remaining  matches  available  on  the  red  button  or  online.      

•   The  Group  wrote  to  Alison  Johnstone  MSP,  welcoming  a  motion  tabled  in  the  Scottish  Parliament  on  Scotland’s  Four  Nations  performance,  and  offering  to  work  with  MSPs  to  develop  rugby  league  in  Scotland.    

•   The  Group  received  an  update  from  The  RFL  on  their  work.  This  included  a  rebrand  of  The  RFL  and  England;  the  season  launch  featuring  Johnny  Vegas;  and  an  update  on  the  women  in  rugby  league  framework,  which  was  due  to  launch  in  March.    

•   A  number  of  notes  of  thanks  were  received  for  Mark  Ramsdale,  thanking  him  for  his  work  as  Secretariat.    •   A  briefing  note  was  received  from  Rugby  League  Cares  and  State  of  Mind  on  a  BIG  Lottery  men’s  health  programme  

being  piloted  by  Salford  Red  Devils,  Widnes  Vikings  and  Warrington  Wolves.  The  Secretariat  circulated  to  Members  representing  those  clubs.    

•   The  Group  received  an  email  from  Honorary  Member  David  Hinchliffe,  including  an  article  he  had  written,  expressing  his  disappointment  with  the  appointment  of  Prince  Harry  as  Patron  of  The  RFL.  In  particular,  this  expressed  concerns  that  the  sport  had  accepted  someone  at  the  apex  of  the  sport  who  had  never  shown  any  interest  in  rugby  league,  and  the  sport’s  continuing  attempts  to  seek  acceptance  by  an  Establishment  that  had  historically  treated  it  with  contempt.    

The  Chairman  discussed  the  actions  that  the  Group  had  taken  to  welcome  Prince  Harry  to  the  role,  and  invite  to  him  to  attend  a  game.  Members  agreed  that  this  was  the  best  course  of  action,  and  expressed  their  hopes  that  Prince  Harry  would  play  an  active  role.    

•   Correspondence  was  received  from  Honorary  Member  Sir  Ian  McCartney  expressing  concern  at  the  acceptance  of  sponsorship  from  e-­‐cigarette  companies,  particularly  given  concerns  from  a  large  number  of  public  health  officials.      

Members  agreed  that  the  Group  could  look  at  this  again  in  the  future,  if  necessary.      

It  was  suggested  that  the  Group  write  to  the  incoming  Chair  of  BBC  Trust.  Action:  Secretariat  to  liaise  with  Chairman.    

The  Chairman  placed  on  record  the  Group’s  thanks  to  its  supporters,  Kingstone  Press  and  The  RFL.  

  All-­‐Party  Parliamentary  Rugby  League  Group     Ordinary  Meeting  Minutes     31  January  2017  Committee  Room  18  

 

 

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Group  Activity  Report  The  Chairman  placed  on  record  the  Group’s  thanks  to  Mark  Ramsdale  for  over  eight  years  of  service  as  the  lead  within  the  Secretariat,  and  for  his  considerable  patience  and  genuine  passion  for  the  game.  It  was  noted  that  Ramsdale  would  remain  involved.  

The  Chairman  welcomed  Jack  Baker  as  the  official  named  point  of  contact  for  the  Group.    

Parliamentary    The  Secretariat  provided  references  to  rugby  league  in  Parliament  since  the  previous  meeting.      An  Adjournment  debate  was  held  on  Bradford  Bulls  and  rugby  league,  and  led  by  Judith  Cummins  MP.  The  Sports  Minister  responded  on  behalf  of  the  government.      In  a  debate  on  defibrillators  in  public  areas  Health  Minister  and  Group  Vice-­‐Chair  David  Mowat  raised  the  importance  of  defibrillators  at  sports  grounds,  including  rugby  league  grounds.      Public    Related  to  activity,  the  Group  sent  press  releases  on:  

•   The  Group’s  letters  to  the  Sports  Minister  and  RFU  regarding  the  Denny  Solomona  dispute;  •   Mark  Ramsdale  stepping  down  as  lead  within  the  Secretariat;  •   Welcoming  Prince  Harry  as  new  patron  of  the  RFL;  •   Sheffield  Eagles  move  to  Wakefield;  •   Rugby  league  honours  for  Mike  Stephenson  and  Tim  Adams;  •   Bradford  Bulls  liquidation.    

At  the  time  of  the  meeting,  the  Group  had  1,863  followers  on  Twitter.  The  Group’s  twitter  name  is  @UKParliamentRL  

The  Chairman  noted  the  level  of  activity  that  the  Group  had  been  able  to  undertake,  and  thanked  the  Secretariat  and  the  Group’s  supporters.  

Political  Animals  Report    The  Animals  held  the  inaugural  Parliamentary  Touch  match  for  Parliamentarians  in  September  2016,  which  was  a  great  success.  The  Secretariat  noted  that  the  Animals  hope  to  repeat  this  in  2017,  and  more  information  will  be  circulated  to  Members  in  due  course.    

The  Chairman  noted  the  Politicians  versus  Journalists  game  for  the  Communications  Cup,  and  it  was  agreed  that  the  Secretariat  would  look  to  organise  this  once  again  in  2017.  Action:  Secretariat  to  investigate.    

   

  All-­‐Party  Parliamentary  Rugby  League  Group     Ordinary  Meeting  Minutes     31  January  2017  Committee  Room  18  

 

 

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AOB    The  Chairman  reminded  associate  members  that  24  hours  notice  of  any  other  business  needed  to  be  provided.    

The  Secretariat,  declaring  an  interest,  noted  that  the  Rugby  League  Varsity  Match  would  be  held  on  3  March,  and  that  tickets  were  on  sale.    

The  Secretariat  noted  that  future  Ordinary  Meetings  would  be  held  on:  

•   28  February  •   28  March  

The  Rugby  League  Business  Network  was  raised,  and  the  Chairman  noted  that  whilst  this  had  no  direct  relation  to  the  Group,  the  Group  was  very  supportive  of  getting  people  into  the  game  from  the  world  of  business.    

Main  business  concluded  at  1825  

Presentation:  National  Rugby  League  Museum    The  Chairman  welcomed  Professor  Tony  Collins,  Chris  Rostron  and  Bridgid  Power  from  Rugby  League  Cares  to  make  a  presentation  on  the  proposed  National  Rugby  League  Museum.  The  Chairman  noted  that  this  project  had  the  Group’s  full  and  wholehearted  support.  

Opening,  Rostron  thanked  the  Group  for  providing  Rugby  League  Cares  with  the  opportunity  to  present,  and  for  its  ongoing  support.  Rostron  briefly  discussed  the  other  work  being  done  by  Rugby  League  Cares,  but  noted  that  the  Heritage  programme  had  grown  the  most  in  recent  years.    

Collins  provided  background  to  the  project  to  create  a  National  Rugby  League  Museum,  noting  that  rugby  league  is  the  only  major  sport  without  a  museum.  The  unique  history  of  rugby  league,  as  a  sport  that  grew  at  the  same  time  as  great  cities  and  industries  in  the  north  of  England,  and  as  an  integral  part  of  communities,  was  also  discussed.    

The  proposed  museum  would  cover  the  story  of  the  game  outside  the  north  of  England  too,  and  tell  the  international  story  of  the  game.  Collins  discussed  the  contribution  to  the  game  made  by  black  and  Asian  players,  and  also  the  story  of  women’s  rugby  league,  which  the  museum  would  also  tell.  The  museum  would  reach  out  to  other  communities  outside  Bradford,  providing  a  hub  for  a  range  of  heritage  activities  wherever  the  game  is  played.  The  target  was  to  open  the  museum  in  2020.  

Rostron  discussed  how  Rugby  League  Cares  had  arrived  at  the  current  stage  in  plans  for  the  museum.  The  initial  impetus  was  the  closure  of  the  George  Hotel  and  the  heritage  centre  put  together  by  Mike  Stephenson.  Rostron  also  noted  Rugby  League  Cares’  work  with  Heritage  Quay  in  Huddersfield,  which  demonstrated  the  appetite  and  potential  for  a  permanent  museum.    

An  ongoing  consultation,  involving  the  National  Football  Museum,  reported  that  a  National  Rugby  League  Museum  was  viable,  and  something  that  Rugby  League  Cares  should  pursue.  The  consultation  raised  questions  over  capital  and  partners,  to  ensure  the  museum  would  be  a  success.  

 

  All-­‐Party  Parliamentary  Rugby  League  Group     Ordinary  Meeting  Minutes     31  January  2017  Committee  Room  18  

 

 

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Power  discussed  the  process  of  securing  a  location  for  the  museum.  Expressions  of  interest  were  collected  from  local  authorities,  and  an  independent  panel  conducted  the  selection  process  over  several  months.    

Bradford  City  Hall  was  selected  by  the  panel,  and  Power  noted  that  Rugby  League  Cares  had  been  working  closely  with  Bradford  City  Council  to  develop  plans  for  the  museum.  A  submission  to  the  Heritage  Lottery  Fund  would  be  made  in  June,  and  would  include  an  outline  of  the  project,  what  the  museum  would  provide,  and  details  of  a  robust  business  plan.  A  decision  would  be  expected  in  September,  and  if  positive,  a  12-­‐month  development  phase  would  follow.  Power  noted  that  discussions  with  the  Heritage  Lottery  Fund  had  been  positive  thus  far.    

Rostron  expressed  hope  that  the  whole  game  would  get  behind  the  project,  and  that  funding  could  be  secured.    

The  Chairman  once  again  noted  the  Group’s  support  for  the  project.  Action:  Group  to  write  to  Heritage  Lottery  Fund,  Sports  Minister,  and  Northern  Powerhouse  Minister,  expressing  support  for  the  project.    

Opening  to  questions,  the  museum  would  be  an  opportunity  to  tell  the  story  of  the  sport  to  people  from  a  non-­‐rugby  league  background  as  much  as  to  those  with  an  existing  interest.  It  was  noted  that  a  major  aim  of  the  museum  would  be  to  attract  non-­‐rugby  league  fans  to  the  sport.    

The  links  with  other  Bradford  museums  and  attractions  were  discussed,  as  was  Bradford  City  Council’s  enthusiasm  for  the  project.    

The  commercial  potential  of  the  museum  was  discussed,  particularly  regarding  revenue  in  the  long  term.  Rostron  recognised  that  this  was  a  challenge,  and  that  sponsors  and  supporters  would  be  important  for  the  museum  to  be  successful.    

The  potential  for  the  museum  to  be  a  repository  for  the  game  was  discussed.  Collins  emphasised  that  items  would  help  to  tell  the  story  of  people’s  involvement  in  the  game,  and  also  that  all  clubs  would  be  represented  at  some  level.    

The  Chairman  made  an  offer  to  work  with  Rugby  League  Cares  on  the  Group’s  involvement  in  the  sport.  He  noted  that  the  Group  had  been  responsible  for  huge  developments  in  the  sport  in  recent  history,  on  sport  in  general,  and  on  issues  of  justice.  The  Group’s  involvement  with  the  statue  at  Wembley  Stadium  was  also  raised.    

The  place  of  supporters  in  rugby  league  history  was  raised,  and  it  was  acknowledged  that  the  museum  would  be  about  much  more  than  the  game  on  the  pitch,  but  would  cover  the  sport’s  rich  social  history.    

On  the  connection  with  The  RFL,  and  location  in  Yorkshire,  the  museum  would  be  run  by  an  independent  trust,  for  all  in  the  sport,  and  would  need  to  have  support  from  all.    

The  Hall  of  Fame  was  raised,  and  Rostron  acknowledged  that  an  early  stage  discussion  had  taken  place  with  The  RFL.    

A  meeting  on  supporter  involvement  in  the  game  was  suggested.  Action:  Secretariat  to  look  into  scheduling.    

The  Chairman  closed  the  meeting  by  thanking  Rostron,  Power  and  Collins,  and  all  for  supporting  the  Group.    

Meeting  closed  at  1923