Speaking on Betfred’s The Last Tackle Rugby League Show, Warrington Wolves Assistant Coach, Andrew Henderson praised the sport for inclusivity as both the women’s game and the wheelchair game have grown this year. 

He was speaking following the success of last weekend’s Grand Finals weekend, which drew big audiences for the sport. 

Henderson stated: “It’s fantastic we needed more international Rugby League as we want to grow the game. 

“The fact we’ve now got other levels like the women’s and the wheelchair, which has really taken off, it’s fantastic to see the opportunities we’re creating at international level- it’s first class.”

In 2022, the wheelchair competition will be part of the Rugby League World Cup main event for the first time. It will be part of the same brand, with the same profile and will receive the same level of support.

England’s Head Coach, Shaun Wane, added: “It makes me proud that it’s such an inclusive sport and we’re doing things really well.”

Last Autumn, it was announced that the board was established as part of the game-wide commitment to diversity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination campaigning.

“We’ve done lots of Zooms with the coaching staff of the wheelchair and womens team, we’re a close group and I think we do it better than many other sports,” added Wane.

Last weekend, the wheelchair league had its grand final, broadcast on Sky, where Leeds Rhinos became the Betfred Super League winners. St Helens women also won the League Leader Shield for the first time after a 52-0 victory over rivals Wigan Warriors at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Toulouse Olympique won the regular season after becoming ‘top of the tree’ for win percentage. This regulation was introduced last September following a spate of cancellations and was used in the Betfred Championship and League 1.