Rugby league to stage first whole-game charity round for Seriously Injured Players Fund

Matches in men’s and women’s Betfred Super League, the Championship and the 1895 Cup final will be in support of the code’s Seriously Injured Players Fund, formerly known as the Rugby League Benevolent Fund. Leeds Rhinos travel to St Helens that weekend in Betfred Super League while Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity host Catalans Dragons and York Knights respectively.

The weekend is also rugby league’s birthday, marking the 131st anniversary of the Northern Union breakaway from the Rugby Football Union. The charity round is a joint initiative by Rugby League Cares, Rugby League Commercial and the Rugby Football League.

Former Wakefield Trinity and England forward Francis Stephenson took over as general manager of the Benevolent Fund last winter and has driven its relaunch as the Seriously Injured Players appeal. He said: “It will be a first for rugby league to have the whole sport coming together knowing all the money we raise will be in aid of seriously injured players and their families.

“The sport is rightly proud of the work the Benevolent Fund has done over the last two decades, but from my discussions with clubs and other key stakeholders through the winter, it became clear the growth of Rugby League Cares and all the wonderful work the charity does around mental fitness and wellbeing has led to some confusion about the role of the Benevolent Fund. That's why we wanted to remove that confusion with a new title and brand for the charity which leaves no doubt about its purpose.

“Fans will know when they support the charity round, or the Seriously Injured Players Fund in any other way, their money will go directly to enhancing the lives of those players and their families.”

Stephenson added: “Rugby League continues to prioritise player safety and minimising the number of serious injuries, but we have to recognise that in a collision sport, as in life in general, accidents will occasionally happen and to be prepared to react as necessary.

“The Seriously Injured Players Fund is how we do that, as well as continuing to support the long-term beneficiaries. We’re all massively grateful to Rugby League Commercial and the Rugby Football League for their support in the introduction of the RL Cares charity round and likewise to clubs at all levels. Timing the charity round to coincide with the anniversary of the foundation of the sport in 1895 provides the chance for clubs and supporters to come together and celebrate everything that's great about rugby league.”