Representatives from the RFL, the Chief Executives of the Engage Super League clubs and Sheffield Eagles will attend the Prime Minister’s annual reception for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community on Wednesday (June 22) afternoon at 10 Downing Street, an event which will focus on tackling homophobia in sport

RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood, RFL Operations Director Emma Rosewarne and the RFL’s Equality and Diversity Manager Sarah Williams will join a host of dignitaries and celebrities to support the Government’s Charter against Homophobia and Transphobia in Sport at Number 10.

“We are delighted that the efforts made by the RFL and Rugby League clubs to tackle homophobia and ensure our sport is welcoming of LGBT people has been recognised by the Prime Minister,” said RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood.

“We are all looking forward to attending the annual reception for the LGBT community at 10 Downing Street and to demonstrate our continued effort to eliminate homophobia and transophobia in sport.

“Rugby League is committed to eradicating all traces of discrimination from our sport and we have made great strides in recent years to ensuring that LGBT people feel welcomed in Rugby League.

“This includes the RFL becoming the first National Governing Body of Sport to join the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme and in January we became the first sporting organisation to enter the Stonewall Top 100 Employers Index.

“We also proactively supported LGBT history month when Co-operative Championship side Sheffield Eagles became the first mainstream UK sports team to play in a specially designed shirt with the message Homophobia Tackle IT!”

All of the Engage Super League clubs, along with Sheffield Eagles, have signed up to the Government charter and have made a commitment to a proactive approach with some exciting new initiatives planned for 2012.

The Prime Minister’s annual reception will bring together representatives of sports governing bodies, associations, clubs and individuals from sport, culture and arts that have signed up to the Government’s Charter against Homophobia and Transphobia in Sport.

“We are honoured to have been invited to the LGBT reception at 10 Downing Street and will continue to work tirelessly to eradicate homophobia and transphobia in Rugby League,” said the RFL’s Equality and Diversity Manager Sarah Williams.

“We are also looking forward to the launch of the ‘Tackle it!’ programme with a suite of posters, a dvd and educational resources that emphasise our commitment to tackling discrimination, prejudice and abuse across all of the equality strands as well as celebrating the diversity within our sport.”