On Tuesday 11th June, representatives of Championship One sides Gloucester All-Golds, Hemel Stags, London Skolars and Oxford Rugby League visited the Houses of Parliament to discuss the development of professional rugby league in the south of England. The four clubs have formed what is informally known as the Southern Group and work together off the field to share best practice and collaborate wherever possible. They were invited by the Parliamentary Rugby League Group to one of its monthly meetings to speak to Members of Parliament about how this works in practice, what lessons have been learned, and how the game is developing through their efforts.

Representing Oxford Rugby League was Tony Colquitt who said afterwards: “it is always a pleasure to speak with rugby league supporters, and to do so in such a setting is terrific. Over the years, we’ve heard a lot about the work of the Group and its Members so to have the chance to discuss the game with people who share our passion and have the position to enact change is tremendous. I am sure that collectively, we showed the Parliamentarians the challenges and rewards that come from running a professional sports club at this level."

Greg Mulholland MP, Chairman of the Group, said after the meeting “We have support from the likes of the RFL who provide us with excellent oversight about the current sporting landscape and rugby league’s position with in it.

“But we need to understand what it means to run a club at all levels and for that reason we invited the southern group to talk to us about the issues they face, how they are overcoming them, and where we can help. It was great to have all the clubs here and we will watch their continued growth with great interest."