There are more opportunities than ever before to make a positive impact in local communities, develop your employment skills and give your CV a boost by volunteering in Rugby League.

Volunteer opportunities range from organising community game festivals and matches to helping out at major events such as the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final and assisting with match reports and live broadcast at televised Student Rugby League games.

Jim Shuttleworth, National Youth Volunteer Manager said: “Through an ongoing partnership with V, the youth volunteering charity we continue to provide many 16-25 year olds with volunteer opportunities in Rugby League.

“There are also thousands of other volunteers of all ages within the sport who benefit from the experience by developing their CVs and attaining new employability and leadership skills.

“Volunteering creates a positive impact in local communities and there are plenty of interesting opportunities for new volunteers to get involved in the sport.”

Opportunities exist for volunteers across the country; in London for example volunteers are working with the RFL to assist with the Origin Performance series which pits North London against South London at the Stoop.

In Yorkshire through a partnership with Yorkshire Forward the RFL have specifically targeted 16-25 year old students to undertake Rugby League Leadership courses as a positive step to increasing employability skills.

634 students completed the Rugby League Leadership course last year as part of this scheme which provided an introduction to coaching, officiating and event management and allows them to lead Rugby League activity.

Similarly in the Midlands volunteers can take the Young Leaders Awards and then go out in the community working with the community coaches either through coaching, match officiating at games or festivals or volunteering at local festivals. Some then go on to complete further level one courses and match officials courses.

Volunteers are also integral to the organisation of the Lancashire Cup Finals which take place at Leigh Sports Village stadium on February 26.

The wide range of roles at this event include providing media coverage, running the PA system at the stadium, updating the scoreboard, liaising with the teams, selling programmes and coordinating trophy presentations.

For more information about volunteering in Rugby League visit www.therfl.co.uk/volunteer