RFL delight as turnover reaches new heights at £21.9m

The record figure – 50 per cent higher than the previous record of 14.5m in 2008 – was largely due to increased TV money and grants from Sports England to increase participation at grass-roots level.

The increased cash flow, revealed in the RFL's annual accounts for 2009 which were presented to clubs at their AGM in Halifax yesterday, meant the game's governing body made a pre-tax profit for an eighth consecutive year.

The record turnover was also good news for member clubs, who pocketed 5.3m from central funds last year, 3m more than in 2008.

"The sport continues to thrive despite the challenging economic climate," said RFL Chairman Richard Lewis.

"The enhanced contracts we negotiated with our broadcast partners Sky and the BBC have enabled the RFL to provide clubs with the resources they need to operate successfully in difficult trading conditions.

"2009 was an exceptionally good year for both the sport and the RFL. The accounts reflect the quality of the hard work and dedication shown by RFL staff, the clubs and the sport's many volunteers."

The accounts show that in 2009 the RFL recorded a profit before tax of 13,000. Last year also saw an increase in payments to the RFL's charities – the RFL Benevolent Fund, Rugby League Foundation, RFL National Museum and Arts Foundation and RFL Facilities Trust – from 275,000 in 2008 to 510,000 in 2009.

Leeds scrum-half Rob Burrow will end a two-month lay-off in tomorrow's Super League match against Hull KR at Craven Park.

Burrow has not played since suffering a knee injury in the Rhinos' win over Wakefield in May but was yesterday named in Rhinos' 19-man squad.

Second-row Ali Lauitiiti and prop Luke Burgess are also poised to return from injury but Leeds will be without hooker Danny Buderus and back-row forward Greg Eastwood, both awaiting the outcome of scans on injuries sustained in last Saturday's win over St Helens.

Bradford Bulls are set to give a Super League debut to academy product Vinny Finigan against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop tomorrow.