This video captures what rugby league is all about!
Ronseal, the UK & Ireland’s premier woodcare brand, has celebrated the return of rugby league with a socially distanced meet & greet day at Leeds Rhinos rugby club, activated through Ronseal’s partnership with the Rugby Football League (RFL).
Ronseal has teamed up with the Rhinos to tell the stories of those at the forefront of the fight to keep rugby league alive after it became apparent that the game faced serious financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The video shines a light on the unsung heroes in the Leeds Rhinos community and underlines Ronseal’s commitment to supporting rugby league’s local communities.
The content explores the heart-warming stories which further strengthened the bond between club & community over the last few months.
One example of this was from Danielle Anderson, player for Leeds Rhinos and attendee on the day, who told the story of how she helped keep her community safe through her work in a residential and dementia care home during the crisis.
Leeds legend Jamie Peacock MBE hosted the day at Headingley Stadium with other attendees including current Leeds Rhinos players Brad Dwyer, Luke Gale & Harry Newman, Chief Executive Officer Gary Hetherington, Director of Rugby Kevin Sinfield and Assistant Coach Jamie Jones Buchanan as well as RFL Community Lead Sam Horner.
Kristie Blackford-Mills, Brand Manager at Ronseal UK, said: “We at Ronseal, proud partner of England Rugby League, are delighted to see the return of the sport following the uncertainty of recent months.
“Rugby League is the heartbeat of many local communities in the UK and our visit to Leeds Rhinos allows us to hear first-hand the stories of those who have had to navigate the difficulties of the past few months, as well as underlining Ronseal’s ongoing support.”
RFL Chief Commercial Officer, Mark Foster, says:
“Our partners at Ronseal have shone the spotlight on Leeds Rhinos and the work they’ve done throughout an extremely challenging 2020 has been amazing.
“And what’s been achieved in Leeds has been replicated right across Rugby League’s heartlands. The social impact of Rugby League amounts to £185million per year and community-based social wellbeing activities have rarely been so vital.
“Professional and community clubs, and foundations and personalities, have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the areas they serve. We can all be extremely proud of what’s been achieved in 2020, and we’re grateful to Ronseal for their ongoing support and for giving us a snapshot of this fantastic work.”
Jamie Peacock, former Leeds Rhinos player, adds:
“Ronseal shares Rugby League’s community values and I really enjoyed filming with them, and meeting the unsung heroes in the community team at Leeds Rhinos and at the East Leeds club. It’s been such an inspiration to see how everyone involved in Rugby League has pulled together in the face of adversity and I’m proud to be part of it. Rugby League is, and always will be, more than a sport.”
Ronseal are a proud sponsor of the RFL and are also a community focused brand. Their partnership with the Rugby Football League, announced in July 2018, was the woodcare brand’s first foray into sports sponsorship.
