Rugby League was the winner when more than 700 players, of all varieties of the game, descended on Blackpool for the RFL’s Grand Day Out – the biggest social and inclusion festival in the sporting calendar.
The Grand Day Out used every inch of Stanley Park to showcase rugby league’s breath-taking inclusivity. At the outdoor arena more than 80 players, among them Australian comedian Adam Hills, showcased the best of Physical Disability Rugby League, while a further 100 players of all ages and abilities took part in Learning Disability Rugby League matches.
Further afield across the sunlit park around 400 players took part in the Masters and Touch RL competitions, and exhibition games introduced the Eurotag version of rugby league to a wider audience.
And the indoor arena hosted Wheelchair Super League action, a new ‘Wheelchair 4s’ festival and an England Wheelchair squad training session in front of a captivated crowd.
“Rugby League is for everyone and nothing demonstrates this more than the Grand Day Out” said Marc Lovering, the RFL’s Director of Participation and Development. “It really does showcase all that’s best about our sport.
“I’d like to thank Blackpool Council for their support, and all the teams, players and volunteers whose passion and dedication made this such a unique and wonderful event.”
