Often cited as the world’s toughest and most physically demanding team sports, rugby league is one of Sport England's top five sports. It is played throughout England, with over 50 countries playing worldwide. The professional game made a successful switch to a summer season in 1996, a move which is currently being replicated by community clubs.
Rugby League is a game contested between two teams of 13 players who attempt to progress an oval shaped ball down into the opposing team’s court with the aim being to score points. The ball can be progressed by both throwing and kicking, but the passing must always move forward – a rule instilled to keep the game exciting. Players are divided into forwards and backs and maintain positions not unlike regular football – obviously with the exception that players can handle the ball with their hands and may legally tackle each other!
It is a high-contact sport that is particularly popular among the north of England, Australia, New Zealand, France, Tonga and many others. It is even the national sport of Papua New Guinea!
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- Archery
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Cricket
- Cycling
- Diving
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Football
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Handball
- Hockey
- Indoor Climbing
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- Netball
- Rounders
- Rowing
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- Sailing
- Slowpitch Softball
- Snowsport
- Squash & Racketball
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Tennis
- Triathlon
- Volleyball
- Weightlifting
- Yoga
The rise of Rugby League in the North of England