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RL Cares and Rugby Players Ireland saddle up to forge unique sporting partnership

Rugby League Cares is delighted to announce a unique and far-reaching collaboration between the two codes of rugby that is putting player wellbeing first and foremost in the sporting agenda.  

RL Cares is partnering with Rugby Players Ireland, the body responsible for delivering player welfare services to rugby union players across the island of Ireland, for the charity’s fundraising bike ride in June, the Wild Atlantic Adventure.  

The ride builds on the already strong relationship between the two organisations and will see riders take on an epic 300-mile cycling challenge over four days between Cork and Limerick along Ireland’s rugged south coast.  

RL Cares has been delivering world class levels of wellbeing support to rugby league players since 2019 and maintains regular contact with representatives in other sports to ensure athletes get the best support possible.  

Rugby Players Ireland is the collective voice of all professional rugby union players in Ireland and shares the same values as RL Cares, especially around issues such as personal development and health.  

RL Cares Chief Executive Chris Rostron said: “The proceeds from the Wild Atlantic Adventure will enable both Rugby Players Ireland and RL Cares, through our dedicated Brain Health Fund, to invest further in dedicated programmes which make the health of players paramount. 

“We already have good relationships with our counterparts in other sports, sharing best practise and ideas, and this partnership with Rugby Players Ireland takes it to a whole new level. 

“We are looking forward to the Wild Atlantic Adventure and four truly memorable days in the saddle riding through one of the most beautiful parts of the world and, at the same time, raising funds for, and awareness of the importance of good brain health in rugby players of both codes.” 

Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

 Dr Deirdre Lyons, Head of the Player Development Programme at Rugby Players Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to embark on this extraordinary journey with RL Cares, uniting rugby codes in a shared commitment to support, nurture, and champion the wellbeing of our players. 

“While the Wild Atlantic Adventure represents a challenge, we look forward to sharing the experience and our beautiful, rugged coastline with our friends from RL Cares. Most importantly, we believe this initiative is testament to our collective dedication to safeguarding the minds and bodies of those who have given us so much joy on the field.”

RL Cares and Rugby Players Ireland will set out from Cork on their Wild Atlantic Adventure on Wednesday June 26 and arrive in Limerick on the afternoon of Saturday June 29.

If you’d like to support the riders, you can make a donation here