Northern and Rugby League continue to team up to boost local communities

A new two-year partnership will reflect Northern’s commitment to the community game as well as becoming Super League’s first official sustainable train travel partner.

Northern have been long-term partners of Rugby League and the Super League, and the new deal reflects the sport’s commitment to minimising its carbon footprint – by encouraging all involved in Rugby League to use public transport whenever possible.

The train operator will work in partnership with Super League clubs across their network to ensure the sport is accessible for all. This will continue to include the Northern Community Stand at the Grand Final in October. Located in both the East and West Stands of Old Trafford, the Northern Community Stand strives to inspire the next generation of Rugby League stars and fanatics by offering tickets for just £2.50 to junior sports teams, community clubs, and schools. Plans are already underway for Northern to work closely with clubs and fans over the Magic Weekend in August, with a regular link between Leeds city centre and Elland Road.

Northern will also continue its support of Rugby League at all levels which has included competitions for grassroots community clubs to win training equipment worth thousands of pounds as well as sponsoring the Community Try of the Month which will be launched in March and will showcase and reward the incredible tries scored in the community game.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “We are proud to be associated with the great sport of rugby league and even more proud of the role we play in supporting communities in the north of England.

“We operate services to more than 500 stations across the rugby league heartlands and are delighted to continue this partnership.”  

Rhodri Jones, the managing director of RL Commercial, said: “We are delighted to extend Super League’s long-term relationship with Northern, especially as they become our first sustainable travel partner.

“We know that thousands of Rugby League fans enjoy taking the train to the match, and we look forward to working even more closely with Northern to make that a convenient, cost-effective option which helps us in minimising Rugby League’s carbon footprint.”

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

The Betfred Super League season kicks off with the Hull derby on Thursday February 15, the first match in the first of 27 rounds, including the Magic Weekend at Elland Road on August 17-18, and culminating in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday October 12.