PRESS RELEASE - RUGBY LEAGUE SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION : Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:55 am  

RUGBY LEAGUE SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION

Fans dismay at delisting of Rugby League’s Carnegie Challenge Cup

The Rugby League Supporters Association is disappointed by the recommendations of the review panel to delist the Carnegie Challenge Cup from the protected free-to-air group of televised sports events.

Consequently the RLSA calls upon the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the Secretary of State and the Minister of Sports, to reject the recommendations of the panel, and to retain the Carnegie Challenge Cup on the list of protected sporting events.

It wholeheartedly supports the efforts of the Rugby Football League, the All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group, and others supporters groups, in the campaign to retain this most historic and prestigious event for the whole nation.

According to RLSA Chair, Cliff Spracklen “Rugby League, the fastest growing of all team sports, is played throughout the United Kingdom today. The event is the key part of the calendar of those Rugby League fans unable to attend the final in person, and increasingly a “must see” event for supporters of other sports, as well as the ever increasing number of those coming to the sport for the first time, the length and breadth of the United Kingdom”.

Re: PRESS RELEASE - RUGBY LEAGUE SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION : Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:55 am  

Further to earlier discussions, the consultation period on the Davies Report is now open until March 5th 2010. As you will be aware, the Davies Report has recommended that the Rugby League Challenge Cup be removed from the list of free-to-air events. To remove the Challenge Cup from the free-to-air list would mean a huge and very significant drop in exposure for the game, which we believe will severely limit the ability of the sport to grow. For a sport which has proven to have benefits to health and wellbeing and is able to be adapted for almost any person (whether able bodied or not) to play, this could also have serious knock-on effects in health terms throughout the country. Further details of the consultation period can be found here http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_lib ... /6496.aspx. After the closure of the consultation period, the Secretary of State will make a decision on whether to accept or ignore these recommendations which is being opposed by the RFL, the APPRLG (All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group) and Supporters Direct. He will take into account ALL available information and views. It is felt by all parties that a large number of responses opposing this recommendation could ensure the Challenge Cup remains on the protected list for future generations to enjoy and I would urge you to show your support for this campaign in one (or both) of two ways: Firstly, an online petition has now been set up at http://www.gopetition.com/online/32754.html Please add your name to this petition which will be forwarded to Neil Turner, Secretary of the APPRLG a week prior to the closure of the consultation. Secondly, you can send your response to David Patterson at the DCMS either via email on listedeventsconsultation@culture.gsi.gov.uk or via mail at: David Patterson Listed Events Consultation 5th Floor Department for Culture, Media & Sport 2-4 Cockspur Street London SW1Y 5DH I have drafted a letter (Below) to Mr. Patterson which you are free to use yourself or forward to other contacts who may wish to respond also. The Challenge Cup has provided some iconic moments in our country’s great sporting history. Please show your support and ensure the event remains on free-to-air TV for future generations to enjoy. Laura Harrison Rugby League Supporters Trusts Development Officer Code: Mr David Patterson Listed Events Consultation 5th Floor Department for Culture, Media & Sport 2-4 Cockspur Street London SW1Y 4DH Dear Mr. Patterson, I am writing to give my support to the RFL, APPRLG (All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group) and Supporters Direct campaign to keep the Rugby League Challenge Cup on the protected list of free-to-air events. The Challenge Cup is one of sports oldest competitions and has provided many iconic moments in our country’s great sporting history and at grass roots level, rugby league is now one of the fastest growing sports in the country. To remove the Challenge Cup from the free-to-air list would mean a huge and very significant drop in exposure for the game, which we believe will severely limit the ability of the sport to grow. For a sport which has proven to have benefits to health and wellbeing and is able to be adapted for almost any person (whether able bodied or not) to play, this could also have serious knock-on effects in health terms. I would urge the Secretary of State to ignore the recommendations on the delisting of the Challenge Cup made in the Davies Report, to ensure that the competition remains on the free-to-air list for future generations to enjoy the excitement and passion that the sport evokes. Yours sincerely

Further to earlier discussions, the consultation period on the Davies Report is now open until March 5th 2010. As you will be aware, the Davies Report has recommended that the Rugby League Challenge Cup be removed from the list of free-to-air events. To remove the Challenge Cup from the free-to-air list would mean a huge and very significant drop in exposure for the game, which we believe will severely limit the ability of the sport to grow. For a sport which has proven to have benefits to health and wellbeing and is able to be adapted for almost any person (whether able bodied or not) to play, this could also have serious knock-on effects in health terms throughout the country. Further details of the consultation period can be found here http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_lib ... /6496.aspx. After the closure of the consultation period, the Secretary of State will make a decision on whether to accept or ignore these recommendations which is being opposed by the RFL, the APPRLG (All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group) and Supporters Direct. He will take into account ALL available information and views. It is felt by all parties that a large number of responses opposing this recommendation could ensure the Challenge Cup remains on the protected list for future generations to enjoy and I would urge you to show your support for this campaign in one (or both) of two ways: Firstly, an online petition has now been set up at http://www.gopetition.com/online/32754.html Please add your name to this petition which will be forwarded to Neil Turner, Secretary of the APPRLG a week prior to the closure of the consultation. Secondly, you can send your response to David Patterson at the DCMS either via email on listedeventsconsultation@culture.gsi.gov.uk or via mail at: David Patterson Listed Events Consultation 5th Floor Department for Culture, Media & Sport 2-4 Cockspur Street London SW1Y 5DH I have drafted a letter (Below) to Mr. Patterson which you are free to use yourself or forward to other contacts who may wish to respond also. The Challenge Cup has provided some iconic moments in our country’s great sporting history. Please show your support and ensure the event remains on free-to-air TV for future generations to enjoy. Laura Harrison Rugby League Supporters Trusts Development Officer Code: Mr David Patterson Listed Events Consultation 5th Floor Department for Culture, Media & Sport 2-4 Cockspur Street London SW1Y 4DH Dear Mr. Patterson, I am writing to give my support to the RFL, APPRLG (All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group) and Supporters Direct campaign to keep the Rugby League Challenge Cup on the protected list of free-to-air events. The Challenge Cup is one of sports oldest competitions and has provided many iconic moments in our country’s great sporting history and at grass roots level, rugby league is now one of the fastest growing sports in the country. To remove the Challenge Cup from the free-to-air list would mean a huge and very significant drop in exposure for the game, which we believe will severely limit the ability of the sport to grow. For a sport which has proven to have benefits to health and wellbeing and is able to be adapted for almost any person (whether able bodied or not) to play, this could also have serious knock-on effects in health terms. I would urge the Secretary of State to ignore the recommendations on the delisting of the Challenge Cup made in the Davies Report, to ensure that the competition remains on the free-to-air list for future generations to enjoy the excitement and passion that the sport evokes. Yours sincerely

Re: PRESS RELEASE - RUGBY LEAGUE SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION : Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:44 pm  

Well ive signed it, only 139 have done , come on every one