Wales Rugby League have been accredited with the insport Ribbon Award from Disability Sport Wales.
The insport standards are a part of the broader insport project, which aims to support physical activity, sport and leisure organisations to deliver provision inclusively of disabled people.
The Ribbon marks the first phase of a commitment to inclusivity, with the Bronze, Silver and Gold standards following on from that.
The insport NGB panel unanimously agreed that WRL should be awarded the NGB insport Ribbon Standard and they have congratulated all who participated in the presentation.
In particular, they commented on the visible passion and enthusiasm demonstrated by the presenters for the insport project and felt this came through all aspects of their presentation.
The panel recognised the positive role that CEO Gareth Kear has played in creating a positive attitude towards embedding inclusion within the organisation, and they have said that they are now looking forward to seeing that leadership develop further, as WRL takes up the challenges presented in to achieve Bronze standard.
In addition to Kear, presentations were made by Stephen Jones, who is the head coach of both Wales Rugby League’s international Wheelchair side and North Wales Crusaders Wheelchair, plus Lyndon Price, who is Stephen’s assistant with Wales and the head coach of the Torfaen Tigers Wheelchair side.
Jones, who headed up the application as Lead Officer, was delighted. He said: “It’s been a honour working with the team and being awarded the insport Ribbon Standard by Disability Sports Wales. For Wales Rugby League to achieve this just shows the commitment we have to making us an inclusive National Governing Body and shows what can be accomplished when we work together towards such an important goal.”
Kear added: “This is a key part of our strategy as an National Governing Body to provide accessible and inclusive sport for all in Wales. We want to inspire more people to try all forms of sport, and especially Wheelchair Rugby League, as we build into the World Cup in 2021.”