Huddersfield’s George Hotel will house the first-ever National Rugby League Museum, it has been confirmed.
Rugby League Cares have partnered with Kirklees Council to bring the attraction to rugby league’s spiritual home where, in August 1895, clubs met to agree a breakaway from the Rugby Football Union.
There was interest from several parties across the North of England, however, the George Hotel was chosen following recommendation by an independent selection panel.
Tim Adams MBE, the Chairman of RL Cares, said: “I am sure everyone in the sport will welcome this decision to establish the National RL Museum at the George Hotel.
“The museum will tell the wonderful story of a sport that remains as important to the communities in which it is played as it was in 1895.
The George Hotel in Huddersfield is where Rugby League was born in 1895.
“We are looking forward to working with the members and officers of Kirklees Council to develop a museum that will be the envy of sports around the world in a location that means so much to so many people.
“I would like to thank all the other centres who expressed an interest in hosting the museum: Kirklees Council were not alone in putting forward a compelling case to the selection panel, who deliberated long and hard before handing down their recommendation.
“The interest shown is a testimony to the prestige that comes with being the home of the National RL Museum, and ultimately acknowledges the importance of the George Hotel to Rugby League.
“Our thanks also go to all the members of the independent selection panel who helped us reach this important decision: their wealth of knowledge of the museums landscape and the sport was invaluable.”
Work to renovate the interior and exterior of the George Hotel, which closed in 2013, is scheduled to begin in the next few weeks, with plans for the Museum’s galleries, exhibitions and interactive displays being drawn up in the coming months.
