SPORTS clubs are getting on board with a national campaign to make fitness and physical activity a focus as we rebuild from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sport England’s Uniting the Movement campaign is a 10-year vision that hopes to promote the benefits of fitness and physical activity on the road out of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in marginalised communities.

And the Rugby League community has supported the movement.

RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer said: “The collaborative and insightful way that Sport England has developed this strategy puts the whole sector in a strong position to meet the challenge of the recovery of our communities from the pandemic, and to fulfil a central, powerful role in creating a healthier, happier and fairer society.

An aim of Sport England’s 10-year vision is to support communities and groups that may otherwise miss out or be under-represented, breaking down social barriers.

Rimmer said: “The focus on inequality is fundamental. Inequality of access to facilities, activities, spaces, support, coaching and opportunity; with economic disadvantage in particular remaining a barrier to moving more, playing more, and deriving not only physical and mental wellbeing benefits from that, but also as we know in Rugby League – increased aspiration, attainment and social mobility.

“We have seen that even when sporting activity was reduced, it was often to sports clubs and sports people that the nation looked for content and inspiration.

“Such is the central role that the whole sector can and should play in society; and the principle that this should benefit everyone has never been more important.”

Whitehaven RLFC chairman Tommy Todd believes it is important to get young people into sport, including rugby league.

“Sport is massively important particularly for young people, to get them away from the computer screens.

“They’re our supporters of the future as well.”

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Haven gave free admission to all under 16 spectators to games with an adult.

As an elite squad, Haven are back at training next week in anticipation of Rugby League’s restart. They will make use of Whitehaven AFC’s 3G pitch in the build up to competition returning. Both Championship and League One clubs will see action from the weekend of March 21 with Haven’s return to the field taking place during the 2021 Challenge Cup.