Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) has announced the backing of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) by supporting the launch of the ‘Open Goal’ campaign.

Open Goal has been created by the Sport for Development Coalition to showcase how sport and physical activity can contribute to building a fairer, more equitable and sustainable future.

The 200-plus members of the Coalition support a series of positive health and societal outcomes such as reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and building stronger communities and social cohesion in the wake of Covid-19.

Rugby League World Cup 2021 Social Impact Director, Tracy Power said: “This year we are delighted to be supporting the Open Goal campaign, an initiative which shares many of the same values as Rugby League World Cup 2021.

“Much of our social impact activity has concentrated on delivering projects in low socio-economic areas with a focus on improving the mental health of those who live and work in these communities, many of which have been particularly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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“Working alongside our fellow members of the Coalition we hope to harness the power of sport to make a positive difference and change lives for the better.”

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 is a tournament that is determined to leave a legacy that lasts long after the final match has been played. It is the first major sporting event to have a mental fitness charter, with over 5,000 people educated on mental fitness literacy, while over 300 volunteers with support needs have been recruited, trained and deployed within the competition with the long-term goal of getting them into longer-term volunteering projects or employment opportunities.

Open Goal is calling on UK Government to ringfence funding committed for jobs, health and tackling crime towards targeted sport-based interventions that can save public money and generate multiple returns on investment, from improving the physical and mental health of individuals facing disadvantage and discrimination, to increasing educational attainment and the ability to secure employment.

Open Goal will also seek to champion sport’s role in tackling inequalities and building a fairer society through national and local media, amplifying the business case for scaled investment in targeted sport and physical activity-based interventions. To find out more, follow @SFDCoalition #OpenGoal on Twitter or visit sportfordevelopmentcoalition.org.