Rugby League World Cup to celebrate inclusivity with special gesture before every game

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 has assembled the most diverse group of players in the sport’s history and has today confirmed plans to celebrate inclusivity across the tournament’s 61 fixtures through the celebration of One Game. Together.

As well as breaking new ground in providing men, women and wheelchair athletes with the same platform to perform for the very first time, more nations from more countries will take part than ever before in the sport’s 127-year history with more than 700 players from 20 nations.

To celebrate the significance, One Game. Together will provide players, coaching staff and supporters with an opportunity immediately ahead of kick-off to come together in unison, to mark a tournament that is inclusive, representative and one that does not tolerate prejudice of any kind.

For 13 seconds prior ahead of kick-off, One Game. Together will allow everyone to take a moment and think about how we can all make a difference wherever we can.

Rugby League World Cup 2021, Chief Executive, Jon Dutton said:

“Sport has a unique ability to bring people together and we hope that this year’s Rugby League World Cup will be transformative for the sport on and off the pitch.

“This tournament takes place against the backdrop of war in Europe and many other challenges, both in this country and across the world and we stand together for a sport that is open to everyone and for a tournament that is inclusive, representative and one that does not tolerate prejudice of any kind.

“We want to make a real impact wherever we can and celebrate that we, as a sport are unified by One Game. Together and stand together with those in need whether in this country or across the globe.”

One Game. Together will be visible in stadiums through promotion on the LEDs, Big Screens, and matchday programmes with the following copy created:

One Game. Together

Sport has a unique ability to bring people together.

This year’s Rugby League World Cup will break new ground in providing men, women and wheelchair athletes with the same platform to perform for the very first time.

It is a proud moment. A moment to celebrate.

But this particular World Cup stands for even more.

We stand together for a sport that is open to anyone and everyone.

We stand for a tournament that is inclusive, representative and one that does not tolerate prejudice of any kind.

We stand together for a making a difference wherever we can.

Within communities across the North, with a positive impact being made in local towns and cities nationwide.

With countries in crisis and children in need.

We want to make an impact wherever we can.

A real impact.

This is perhaps vitally important in light of what happened with Chief Executive Ralph Rimmer and his comments about the Fiji squad.

Ahead of the sport’s most inclusive tournament ever, another fantastic gesture to demonstrate this inclusivity can only be a good thing.