Huddersfield bids to host Rugby Football League HQ in Huddersfield

Jun 16 2009 By Neil Atkinson

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A BID to bring Rugby League "home" has been launched by Kirklees Council.

They are trying to tempt the sport’s ruling body to set up a new home in Huddersfield – birthplace of the game.

The Rugby Football League are currently based in Leeds but have expanded in recent years and are now looking for larger premises for their 200 staff.

The sport was founded in 1895 after an historic meeting at The George Hotel in Huddersfield.

Now, 114 years later, Kirklees Council and the national body of Rugby Football League are working to bring the game home.

The Rugby Football League is outgrowing its current office space at Red Hall in North Leeds and is currently searching for more premises. Officials have contacted Kirklees Council to see if it is possible to bring the headquarters of the game home to its birthplace.

Martyn Sadler, of the RFL, said: "The RFL is the national governing body of a sport that is growing rapidly all over the British Isles.

"I can’t think of a better location than Huddersfield, both geographically and historically, for the RFL.

"It was formed as the Northern Union there in 1895 at the George Hotel, and a return to Huddersfield would therefore be a return to its spiritual home.

"The town lies at the geographical centre of the game. The council has invested heavily in a superb stadium, the Giants are one of the leading clubs and the game’s Heritage Centre is located at the George Hotel. And of course Huddersfield was found to be the happiest town or city in northern England in a survey published in 2007." Huddersfield of course is already home to BARLA – the governing body of the amateur game, founded here in 1973.

Clr Mehboob Khan, Leader of the Council, said: "The council would be absolutely delighted to help the Rugby Football League find a new home for its headquarters and where better than the birthplace of the sport, Huddersfield?

"Huddersfield and the wider Kirklees has so much to offer in terms of its location and excellent transport links to all points both sides of the Pennines".