Pundit Jon Wilkin has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to invest £30 million across five years in what he’s dubbed the ‘northern rugby league social impact partnership’, arguing that the sport can be used as a vehicle for social change.

In the aftermath of England’s group stage exit from both the men’s and women’s Rugby League World Cup, the sport is reeling domestically as it looks for a solution to a problem that has been steadily growing for decades – that being a lack of funding and support for rugby league.

Some of that has come as a result of a lack of finances whilst some of that decline has come due to self interest of the clubs but Wilkin has now made the plea for the government to help subsidise the sport at the grassroots level, something he believes can not only improve the sport but also the communities that have rugby league clubs at their heart.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Wilkin read out a pre-prepared statement that was aimed at both Prime Minister Andy Burnham, an avid rugby league fan, and the minister for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, as to why they should feel ‘compelled’ to get involved.

Wilkin argued: “Rugby league is one of the north of England’s greatest untapped social assets. For generations, clubs have been at the hearts of communities facing some of the country’s greatest challenges in health, education, and economic opportunity.

“Australia has recognised rugby league’s potential as a vehicle for social change, committing hundreds of millions to developing communities, especially across the pacific.

“Why shouldn’t Britain show the same ambition for the north? The infrastructure already exists, the clubs, the foundations, the school, and community relationships are already established but what’s missing is a coordinated strategy and meaningful government investment.”

Can the government help rugby league?

Wilkin went on to explain exactly what he was asking for, explaining that money would be utilised purely at a grassroots level to aid the communities, and therein the sport.

He said: “The ask would be simple – for the government to establish a £30 million, five-year northern rugby league social impact partnership, bringing together the RFL, professional clubs, community foundations, local authorities, and government departments.

“The programme would target disadvantaged northern communities. We talk about levelling up all the time so if that’s on the agenda then rugby league is the vehicle to actually commit to social change in deprived backgrounds – using rugby league to improve school attendance, physical and mental health, youth unemployment, social mobility, all with independently measured outcomes and clear accountability for the public money that is going to be spent.

“It’s not a plea to subsidise professional sports, it’s a proposal to invest in the north and that for me is why Andy Burnham and Lisa Nandy should be absolutely compelled to use rugby league, which has genuinely got clubs integral to the community around them, to make social change happen in the north.”

The former England international also called on Peter V’landys, who is overseeing the proposed NRL investment deal into Super League, to match any government subsidy, ensuring that the funds are ring-fenced so that they go to the community clubs and grassroots level, not into the hands of the professional clubs.

He plead: “You could absolutely blow millions of pounds on projects but Peter V’landys, if you listen to this, come to the table and deliver a grassroots government-led initiative to make northern communities proud of themselves again. The government put money into it, Peter V’landys ring-fence some money and match that funding, and let’s go do something that only sport can do.”

Rugby Football League CEO, Ian Nolan, also appeared on that call and responded, suggesting it was a positive idea whilst also confirming discussions with the government over funding.

Noting why Wilkin’s plan could be so impactful, he said: “When the government normally invest in community hubs and things to generate something, they tend to be new and it’s really difficult to then attract people to go there because it’s a new habit but rugby league clubs are already established in deprived towns in the UK. People already rely on them, families go to them.”

‘Rugby League is the vehicle to actually commit to social change’

Jon Wilkin’s message to the UK government on why we should follow in Australia’s footsteps and use Rugby League as a force for change.

#BBCRL #RugbyLeague https://t.co/J6gbqXsj3J

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) November 2, 2026

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