One of the world’s leading museum professionals has been commissioned to lead a feasibility study into plans for national museum of Rugby League.
The project is to find a permanent home for the sport’s rich collection of heritage and archive material.
But there are many who believe only Huddersfield should be the place to site the museum.
It is the birthplace of the sport, at the former George Hotel, and the Rugby Football League archives and memorabilia are now at the Heritage Centre at the University of Huddersfield.
The town, of course is also home to Huddersfield Giants, a successful Super League side based at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The location will be announced later this year when work will start in earnest to source funding to help build the museum.
Dr Kevin Moore, the director of the National Football Museum, is leading a working group that will look into all aspects of a proposed National Rugby League Museum, including location and funding options.
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The project has been commissioned by the sport’s charity, Rugby League Cares.
Rugby League Cares general manager Chris Rostron said: “Rugby League is the only major sport that does not have a dedicated national museum and this project will hopefully address that.
”We are delighted that Kevin has accepted our invitation to lead the feasibility study: his experience and expertise will be invaluable.
“One of the pillars of Rugby League Cares is our heritage because as a sport it’s something we are massively proud of.
“We have been working on this project since last summer, when thousands of people across the country helped rugby league celebrate its 120-year anniversary. The proposed National Rugby League Museum allows us to build on the interest in, and passion for our history that is shared by so many people.”
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Dr Moore said: “It is clear that there is a game-wide passion for Rugby League’s heritage and a national museum will bring to life the characters and events that have helped shaped this great sport over the last 120 years and before.
“We are looking at developing a high quality museum that eclipses all other sports museums in the world, a facility that is immersive, interactive and educational and which contributes to the strategic objectives of the game.”
The working group is liaising with local authorities to find the best location for the National Rugby League Museum and has been charged with creating a revenue plan to meet the goal of opening in 2020.
Between now and 2018 the design and construction process will hopefully get underway as Rugby League Cares assembles and refines its collections for display, preservation and exhibition.
The National Rugby League Museum could also provide a home for the RL Hall of Fame, which currently features 25 of the game’s greatest legends.
