Preston North End Community and Education Trust is working to get more locals interested in Rugby League ahead of next year’s World Cup in England and Wales.

To help increase participation in the sport, PNECET has appointed a new Rugby League Development Officer.

Ryan Allen has been appointed to the position following experience coaching for the Warrington Wolves Foundation and having achieved a Sports Coaching degree from Chester University.

Ryan’s role will include establishing rugby league programmes in Preston and surrounding areas. He will also work with schools across PNECET’s education programmes, from primary school children to university students and beyond.

Read more: New Rugby League education programme available to schools in Preston

Ryan said: “The role is partly funded by Preston City Council, UCLan and the Rugby Football League to try to get rugby league a bit more in and around the community of Preston.

“It’s giving the community another sport to play and another option for local residents in and around Preston to engage with PNECET.

“It’s going to hopefully help us reach places it hasn’t reached before and build on the amazing work that the Community and Education Trust already does.”

As part of the Rugby League World Cup coming to England and Wales in 2021, Preston will host the Wales men’s team with their training base being situated at the UCLan Sports Arena.

Ryan said:”Preston is really fortunate to be a host city for Wales men’s rugby league team who are going to be training in Preston and be around the community.

“Rugby league is a very inclusive sport, one of the most inclusive we have.

“It’s about getting into primary schools and high schools and offering the sport to young people who might never have had the opportunity to play before, ultimately, we want to offer taster sessions in rugby league to as many people as possible in and around Preston.”

Priority tickets went on sale for the Rugby League World Cup on Monday (21 September). Organisers confirmed that tickets had been purchased on the first day for every one of the 61 matches at next year’s event, which will see the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments running concurrently for the first time ever.

Read more: Rugby League World Cup 2021 launches free ticket offer for frontline workers

If you are interested in rugby league activities being delivered within a school, community centre or other organisation in Preston and the surrounding areas, contact Ryan@pne.com for more information.

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