DESPITE a question mark hanging over the future of this year’s proposed Rugby League World Cup, host town Warrington, will continue to support the tournament’s organisers and lobby for a positive outcome.
Professor Steven Broomhead MBE, Vice Chairman Warrington Wolves and Chief Executive, Warrington Borough Council, said: “It is with enormous disappointment that Australia and New Zealand announced last week, Thursday 22 July, that they intend to withdraw their men’s women’s and wheelchair teams from the Rugby League World Cup this year.
“Given that a national announcement was made earlier this month by tournament organisers that RLWC2021 would be going ahead as planned, there is a sense of profound sadness for Rugby League fans at home and around the world, of the news that two of the game’s great nations will not be competing.
“The pandemic has affected the entire world, but what cannot be doubted is the painstaking, meticulous preparations of the RLWC tournament organisers in putting in place reasonable measures for the tournament to proceed, and indeed, succeed. To therefore receive the news, quite suddenly, of Australia and New Zealand dropping out, does a disservice to the herculean efforts of tournament organisers and sadly devalues the entire competition.
Prof Broomhead MBE
“I will therefore be working alongside our proud club and other partners across Warrington, to continue our support of the tournament’s organisers and to lobby on behalf of Rugby League fans everywhere, so that we can ensure a positive solution and outcome to last week’s damaging announcement.”
Meanwhile, Chris Brindley, Chairman of RLWC2021 said: “The Rugby League World Cup 2021 have held an emergency Board meeting following the hugely disappointing statement made by ARLC and NZRL.
The Board conducted constructive discussions on the best way forward for the tournament and will continue dialogue with all stakeholders, including the UK Government, in the coming days.
“The well-being of all those involved in the tournament, particularly players and team officials, have been the priority for the organisers. The Board reiterated the relentless hard work and extraordinary measures that have been taken to create a world-class environment in line with other major sports event that have been successfully hosted in UK this year.
“The Board will meet again in the coming days but in the meantime will continue to concentrate its efforts on being solutions focused and achieving the best possible outcome for the tournament.”
The tournament was thrown into chaos last week following the decision by Australia and New Zealand to withdraw from the competition due to fears over COVID safety.
