HLF to safeguard the Lasting Legacy of Huddersfield Rugby League

HLF to safeguard the Lasting Legacy of Huddersfield Rugby League

The first round pass ensures that the project can now progress to the second stage of HLF application process. Sporting pride Community Trust now have up to two years to submit more detailed plans and apply for the full grant of just over £110,400 from HLF.

The birthplace of rugby league can be traced right back to The George Hotel in the centre of town in 1895, and as such Huddersfield’s connection to the sport is internationally recognised. This unique history will be collated and preserved through the project, Huddersfield Rugby League: A Lasting Legacy. Celebrating 150 years of Rugby in the town the project will particularly focus on the Team of All Talents era that centres around the events of World War One (WWI).

Rugby League in Huddersfield has not only affected the game worldwide but has also had a significant impact on the socio-economic development of the town itself.  The award will help local people and communities actively share, learn and take pride in the heritage surrounding the game. The project aims to collect and preserve memories and artefacts since the advent of the game for future generations to enjoy.

Using sport as a focus, there are also plans to link with the local school history projects and the national curriculum around the time of the 2014 WWI centenary. Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Kirklees is one of our priority boroughs for funding in Yorkshire and the Humber, and this project illustrates just how rich the borough’s heritage is. We’re extremely pleased to give initial support to these plans  to explore and preserve the fascinating heritage of Rugby League in Huddersfield and we shall watch the developing plans with interest.”

Due to begin this summer, consultations will take place to support the development phase of the project to the final stage in six months time.

Commenting on the award Ken Davy, Chairman of Huddersfield Giants Rugby League Football Club said: "The rich and unique heritage of Rugby League in Huddersfield as the very birthplace of the game is a legacy which fully deserves to be properly recorded for this and future generations. This is an exciting project which will bring lasting benefits not only to Huddersfield and the wider community of Kirklees but also across sporting disciplines throughout the country and beyond”

Notes to editors

As pictured, David Gronow - Club Historian, George Hotel Manager Alan Richmond, Brian Heywood, Laura Hanson Giants in the Community Manager, Rob Light , Sam Morton, and Keith Burhouse celebrating their first-round pass.

Further information

Robert Light, Giants in the Community Heritage Project Manager  01484 484 178Image removed.

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