Jon Wilkin has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to unleash rugby league ’s power to transform lives in the North, branding the sport “one of the North of England’s greatest untapped social assets”.
The former St Helens, Toronto Wolfpack, England and Great Britain star has called for a £30million, five-year government investment plan to harness rugby league’s influence in disadvantaged communities and drive lasting social change.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Wilkin pointed to Australia’s use of rugby league as a force for community development and challenged the UK to show similar ambition.
He said: “Rugby league is one of the North of England’s greatest untapped social assets.
“For generations, its clubs have been at the heart of communities facing some of the country’s greatest challenges in health, education and economic opportunity.
“Australia has recognised rugby league’s potential as a vehicle for social change, committing hundreds of millions to developing communities, especially across the Pacific.
“Why shouldn’t Britain show the same ambition for the North?
“The infrastructure already exists. The clubs, the foundations, the schools and community relationships are already established. What’s missing is a co-ordinated strategy and meaningful government investment.”
Wilkin wants the government to establish a £30million, five-year Northern Rugby League Social Impact Partnership, bringing together the Rugby Football League (RFL), professional clubs, community foundations, local authorities and government departments.
He has called on Burnham and Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to put the proposal into action, with investment targeted at some of the North’s most disadvantaged communities.
Prime Minister Burnham has strong links with the sport, having previously served as president of the RFL between 2017 and 2018. He was also invited to Super League’s record-breaking Magic Weekend in Liverpool earlier this year.
Wilkin added: “The programme, and this is what’s really important, would target disadvantaged Northern communities.
“We talk about levelling up all the time now. If that’s on the agenda, then rugby league is the vehicle to actually commit to social change in deprived backgrounds.
“Using rugby league to improve school attendance, physical and mental health, youth unemployment and social mobility, with independently measured outcomes and clear accountability for public money that’s going to be spent.
“Now that, for me, is why Andy Burnham and Lisa Nandy should be absolutely compelled to use rugby league, which has genuinely got clubs that are integral to the communities around them, to make social change happen in the North.”