Sir Rodney Walker, the chairman of the Rugby Football League, has reached agreement with Wembley National Stadium Limited which will secure the long-term future of Rugby League at England’s premier sporting venue once its rebuilding process has been completed.
Talks with Wembley National Stadium Limited have been progressing for several months but they have now been successfully concluded following a round of discussions with Sir Rodney who was yesterday asked to undertake a
further three years as chair of the RFL.
The new deal will ensure that the Rugby Football League will play at least one major fixture at Wembley every year while, at the same time, giving the RFL the flexibility to take the Silk Cut Challenge Cup Final to other venues
if it so desires.
Sir Rodney said: ‘Wembley and the Rugby Football League have reached a mutually satisfactory position and we shall be completing the legal formalities very shortly.
‘Rugby League has become one of Wembley’s traditional elements and there is no doubt that our clubs, fans and players are all very keen to return as soon as the stadium is rebuilt.
‘But, after seeing the success we enjoyed in Edinburgh this year when the Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos Silk Cut Challenge Cup final was played at Murrayfield, we want to retain the option of being able to take this prestigious national event to other centres if we judge it to be in the best interests of the sport.
‘The return of international Rugby League to our calendar and the possibility of both Australia and New Zealand returning to a touring structure also means that we can offer Wembley high-profile Test and international fixtures. This would enable us to fulfil our obligations to the Wembley National Stadium Company.
‘Rugby League and Wembley are inextricably linked and with this deal we have ensured that the relationship will continue through the twenty first century.’
JOHN HUXLEY
Media and PR Manager.
Issued by the Media and Marketing Department of the Rugby Football League,Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds LS17 8NB. Telephone: 0113 237 5014 (direct line), 0113 232 3838 (fax) johnh@rfl.uk.com (e-mail).