Rugby League Together at Toulouse Olympique

Toulouse Olympique will become the latest Betfred Championship club to deliver an inclusion fixture when they entertain Bradford Bulls at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Saturday 24 June.  

Inclusion fixtures, under the banner of ‘RL Together’, are an opportunity for clubs to showcase the development work they do both within their clubs and the wider community, where collectively they are strengthening foundations and making new connections with diverse groups and individuals. RL Together is delivered in association with ‘Tackle It’, the game-wide action plan to promote diversity, tackle discrimination and break down barriers to involvement in Rugby League.    

Toulouse Olympique aim to deliver one of the biggest celebrations of inclusion and diversity in Rugby League to date – on and off the pitch. The Bradford fixture is a double-header, with the women’s side kicking off the action on the pitch against Ayguevives before taking part in a lap of honour at half-time during the men’s game. As with all matches at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, visually impaired supporters will be able to follow the games using the club’s audio-descriptive commentary service. 

Rugby League’s disability variations will also be in the spotlight, with a Wheelchair Rugby League demonstration taking place on the stadium forecourt and Physical Disability Rugby League on the nearby synthetic pitches.   

Toulouse are also teaming up with the sports association Tou'Win, which has its roots in the city, campaigns for LGBTQI rights in team sports, and celebrates the identities and experiences of supporters and participants alike. Tou'Win members will be present in and around the stadium forecourt, while the match programme will feature an interview and information about the Toulouse-based LGBTQI+ team.  

="" span="">The inclusive approach even extends to food with vegan, halal and kosher options all available, with a special focus on sport and nutrition. 

RFL Inclusion Lead, Ben Abberstein, says: “I’m delighted to see Toulouse Olympique become the latest club to deliver an inclusion fixture. The club deserves enormous credit for the planning and preparation that has gone into this, and I wish them every success on the day and for the future. Like Toulouse, visitors Bradford Bulls are also making great progress in the area of inclusion through clubs such as these ="" span="">Rugby League will be a stronger sport – one that is truly representative of all its communities.”    

More information about RL Together is available here.

Supporters at all games are encouraged to report any discriminatory or abusive language to their nearest steward.?