Campus Whitehaven has had a £15,000 cash boost to help encourage more people to play rugby.

The grant is from a funding pot of up to £10m, which aims to support the legacy of the Rugby League World Cup by increasing participation in the sport.

The cash is from the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme and delivered in partnership between RLWC2021 and the Rugby Football League.

Wayne Collins, operations manager at Campus Whitehaven, said he was delighted with the funding.

“With the creation of the new facilities associated with the Campus Whitehaven project, this gives both schools (St Benedict’s and Mayfield) associated with the campus a brilliant opportunity for creating a safe, welcoming environment, not only for their own pupils but also for the local community. This includes all Rugby League stakeholders in the area, especially grass roots community clubs.

“This funding will allow us to continue providing our community with a world class, state-of-the-art facility which continues to grow in popularity and benefit so many people.

“We’d like to thank RLWC2021 and the RFL for helping us to achieve this.”

The grant will be used to generate and sustain a progressive girls programme as well as a 16 to 19-year-olds programme. It will also help to generate a disabled and special needs pupils initiative and create employment opportunities for the community. It will enable the campus to purchase equipment to maintain the new grass playing pitches on the former St Benedict’s site.

Jon Dutton, chief executive of RLWC2021, said: “The CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme is focused on ensuring the next generation of rugby league players have the best possible experience and barriers to participate are removed.

“We are delighted to award this grant to Campus Whitehaven and look forward to seeing the results of this investment that aims to deliver real change in their community.”

The £30m Campus Whitehaven opened earlier this year, joining St Benedict’s and Mayfield schools.