Try It yourself, urges Vikings coach

Oct 1 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES Vikings and Scotland coach Steve McCormack today helped to kick off a campaign to increase participation in rugby league ahead of the forthcoming World Cup.

The Rugby Football League recruitment drive is intended to promote an increase in playing, coaching, volunteering and refereeing before, during and after the tournament which kicks off in Australia on October 25.

McCormack was joined for The Co-operative Try It campaign launch in Manchester by England’s coach Tony Smith and England women’s team coach Brenda Dobek.

According to statistics, RL is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK with more people then ever now involved. Participation grew by 24% last year to more than 285,000 and the game is now played in every region of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

McCormack said: “Rugby League is no longer confined to the M62 corridor as it is now played all over the UK with new teams springing up all the time.

“As with the recent Olympics, which resulted in many people getting into rowing and cycling, the aim of The Co-operative Try It campaign is to convert interested armchair viewers into players, coaches, referees or volunteers.”

Sponsored by RFL Official Partner, The Co-operative, the scheme centres on an interactive website www.tryit.co.uk and features video interviews with some of the world’s best players, coaches and referees on why they got involved in the sport.

The website aims to provide those interested in getting involved in RL with details of local clubs and contacts, while giving visitors the chance to win a number of money-can’t- buy prizes.

Smith said: “As with any major sporting event, we expect the Rugby League World Cup to increase the national profile of the sport and increase interest levels.

“It’s important that whilst the profile is high that we convert interest into participation.

“Rugby League is a really easy sport to get involved in on various levels and provides many social and health benefits.”

Dobek, whose England women’s team are also involved in the World Cup, added: “This campaign isn’t just directed at men, it’s targeted at women as well. Womens and girls Rugby League is one of the fastest growing areas of the sport.

“Rugby League is an exciting and exhilarating sport at all levels, no matter what your involvement.”