Concern over £1m World Cup cash

The coalition Government is to come under increasing pressure to honour its predecessor’s £1m pledge towards staging the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Fears have recently been raised in the House of Commons about its funding after the disbanding of regional development agencies left the seven-figure shortfall.

Although Prime Minister David Cameron has publicly welcomed the staging of the event, the Rugby Football League have yet to be assured that his Government will meet the previous regime’s promise of financial support.

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The Yorkshire Post understands RFL chairman Richard Lewis and chief executive Nigel Wood have been in on-going discussions with Government officials in recent weeks and there has also been further pressure applied from a host of MPs.

Warrington South MP David Mowat (Cons) challenged the House of Commons for an answer almost a fortnight ago but there has been no clarification.

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem), who is a vice-chair on the All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group, admits they are keen to see some substance from talks held with Sports Minister Hugh Robertson.

“There have been positive noises made by the Sports Minister but we have got to keep pushing the point – that was £1m committed by a public body and it should be honoured,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

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“We are still lobbying ministers trying to arrange a meeting with some of the All Party Group to discuss that.

“There’s no date yet though and, obviously, everyone wants to get the Budget out of the way.”

Mowat had questioned whether it is a matter for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills or the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Mulholland added: “It’s obviously in some ways a Treasury matter but we’ve also been talking to the Sports Minister and we’re still very much on the case.

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“There has been no official announcement yet and we don’t know exactly what will happen.

“Whether this shortfall will basically be filled, in the absence of regional development agencies, we are waiting to see but we are trying to press the matter now.”

It will be the first World Cup the UK has seen since 2000 and the RFL are desperate to ensure a major triumph following the financial disaster of that previous tournament.

At its official glitzy launch in Manchester last November, Lewis predicted the 14th World Cup – jointly hosted by England and Wales – would be the finest yet and that they would build on the positivity expected from the 2012 London Olympics.

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Losing £1m from their budget would damage those hopes but it would not prove catastrophic.

There are no plans to reduce the size of the tournament – it has been increased from 10 to 14 nations after the last competition in 2008, and that remains – but the cosmetic aspect of the presentation may have to be scaled down.

A number of clubs in the region are hoping to host fixtures in the autumn of 2013 with arch-rivals Hull FC and Hull KR joining forces last week in a bid to persuade the RFL to let them host group games, quarter-final or semi-final matches, and be used as training camps for team centres.

The last World Cup three years ago, which New Zealand won following a shock victory over hosts Australia, made a profit of £2m and Mulholland agrees the county could be set for a significant economic and sporting boost.

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Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Carnegie and Huddersfield Giants’ Galpharm Stadium are likely venues as well as Castleford’s and Wakefield’s planned new grounds if they get the green light.

Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium is also in the running.

“I think it is hugely important for all of us in Yorkshire and what we’re trying to stress is it is one of the major sporting occasions,” added Mulholland, with the 2013 World Cup clearly defined as part of Britain’s ‘Golden Decade of Sport’.

“It is great it is being held in this country but we now really need the Government to commit to ensure it is a success.

“They have certainly said they want to do that but we just need to make sure the funding issues are addressed.”

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Steve McNamara’s England are expected to kick off the tournament against Australia at Wembley, just as the 1995 competition began, while Old Trafford and Millennium Stadium will be further challengers to stage the final of the five-week affair.

Leader of the House of Commons George Young (North West Hampshire, Conservative) responded to Mowat’s query.

“There was a clear commitment in the Conservative party manifesto and the coalition agreement to supporting the rugby league World Cup,” he said.

“I understand that colleagues in DCMS are talking with the Rugby Football League about support for the event and working with UK support.

“We are committed to fair treatment for this important event.”