Scotland Rugby League has become the first organisation to join the All-Party Parliamentary Scottish Sport Group.

The Group has recently adjusted its format to allow organisations with an interest in Scottish sport to join, take part in its conversations, promote the good work of sports in Scotland, and help to challenge issues that sport faces across the country.

Scotland Rugby League is the national governing body for rugby league in Scotland and oversees development and participation at all levels of the sport.

The announcement of the Group’s first non-Parliamentary Member was made by Group Chairman, Member of Parliament for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Gavin Newlands MP. He said

I am delighted to welcome Scotland Rugby League as the first associate member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Scottish Sport.

The Group has recently altered its format to allow organisations involved with Scottish sport to join, get directly involved with the Group, and ensure that our work is best focused to support sport at all levels in Scotland.

I encourage national governing bodies, major tournaments, and other organisations involved with sport in Scotland to join the Group, and contribute to our work to promote, raise and challenge issues facing sport across the country.”

Scotland Rugby League Chair, Keith Hogg, added

Scotland Rugby League is pleased to join the All-Party Parliamentary Scottish Sport Group. This is an exciting time for rugby league in Scotland, as we are changing our strategy to focus on developing the sport from primary school level upwards.

Hogg hopes that the sport can make a real difference to health and wellbeing, especially in socially deprived areas, and looks forward to working with the Parliamentary Scottish Sport Group and other stakeholders to further develop rugby league across Scotland.