Castleford Tigers release statement in response to potential cash boost

Castleford Tigers have released a statement declaring how they will spend the full £2 million that could potentially be given to the club by Wakefield Council.

It comes following the decision by the new Rugby League Resilience Fund to offer a grant of up to £2m each to Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity and Featherstone Rovers. It would support all three clubs to meet the current, and potential future, Rugby Football League (RFL) conditions on stadium facilities as well as improving community use at the sites.

Commenting on the proposal for the new Rugby Resilience Fund, the Leader of Wakefield Council, Cllr Denise Jeffery said: “This district’s long and passionate history of rugby league is well documented. My Cabinet colleagues and I, are extremely proud of this heritage and fully support the important part rugby league plays in this district.

“I know full well that there are strong allegiances to all three clubs and the desire for all our rugby league clubs to thrive at the highest level is something we absolutely want to see.

“By offering this support to Wakefield Trinity, Castleford Tigers and Featherstone Rovers, we can help prolong the heritage of potential Super League rugby being played in the district.

“However, it is just as important that we can help the clubs widen their grass roots reach in the community and create more inclusive facilities that will meet the needs of even more people in our district.

“All three rugby league clubs are ‘Community Clubs’ and do excellent work with children and adults across a wide range of local groups and clubs. Helping the rugby league clubs increase this community use, across a range of sports, can play such an important part in improving the health and wellbeing of our district. This clearly shows the crucial social value of our rugby league heritage.”

Castleford’s statement in response has said:

“Castleford Tigers has had a fantastic working relationship with Wakefield Council for many years, and the Club would like to thank them for their support, in particular, Cllr Denise Jeffrey and all the local councillors for their hard work on this so far.

“As part of the Club’s long-term plans to improve facilities at our home stadium on Wheldon Road, Castleford Tigers is hopeful of applying for the full £2 million if passed by Wakefield Council’s Cabinet meeting on Monday, 29th November.”