West Bank ARLFC has become the first Rugby League club in the
Halton Service Area to achieve the Sport England Rugby League specific Clubmark
award. Representatives from the club will officially receive their award at
a half time presentation at the Halton Stadium, at this Sunday’s Vikings
Tetley’s Rugby Super League clash.

Sport England Clubmark sets generic criteria for national governing
bodies of sport to accredit their clubs against in order to create safe, effective,
and child friendly environments. The RFL and BARLA have in turn been responsible
for developing and setting sports specific standards and accrediting clubs against
the national framework. The County Sports Partnerships, and in this instance
Merseyside Sport will support the scheme at local level. Clubmark will bring
benefits such as promoting clubs within their communities, increased participation
levels, developing coaches and volunteers at clubs, and raising standards.

Chris Thair, North West Regional Development Manager commented
"The ongoing roll out of the Sport England RL Clubmark standard throughout
the Rugby League Community will bring many benefits, including more sustainable
opportunity for all to participate and progress in all sectors of our sport.
I know West Banks Chairman Paul Farrell has worked hard, along with other members
of West Bank, on achieving the minimum standards of Clubmark and this should
be awarded.”

Steve Fairhurst, RFL Active Sports National Development Manager – “This
success signals not only a significant achievement by the West Bank club, but
the strengthening of local grassroots rugby league. Widnes Vikings are staging
the presentation on a game day, and this can only help to promote West Bank’s
success and the Clubmark initiative further.”

Lisa Jagger, Women and Girls, RFL National Development Manager – “West
Bank have signalled their intent through achieving the challenging criteria
set out in Clubmark to support the development of quality grassroots environments.”

Please direct enquiries relating to CLUBMARK to;

STEVE FAIRHURST

Active Sports (Rugby League) National Development Manager

The Rugby Football League

Red Hall

Red Hall Lane

Leeds

LS17 8NB

e-mail; stephen.fairhurst@rfl.uk.com

direct line; 0113 237 5025

mobile: 07764 336 756