Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) has announced support for its Official Charity Partner, Unicef UK, with 50p of every ticket transaction going to raise funds for the vital work undertaken by the charity.

The partnership will use the power of sport to raise awareness and funds for UNICEF’s work around the world as well as giving the tournament an impactful platform to help improve the economic and social wellbeing of children.

Funding raised for UNICEF will target two areas; the UK and Brazil, and the women’s teams from these countries will make their World Cup debut at the tournament when they play England exactly one year today (9 November 2021) at Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds.

Brazil are the first South American nation to appear at the RLWC where their women’s side, in addition to playing England on the opening day, will also face Canada and Papa New Guinea in Group A. The women’s tournament is part of a unique Rugby League World Cup involving the men’s and wheelchair tournaments taking place simultaneously for the first time.

The donation through ticket transactions is just one the tournament’s commitments to raise funds for UNICEF, to help support the charity on its mission to break the cycle of violence against children in Brazil as well as supporting the charity’s Rights Respecting School Award in the UK.

In Brazil, where many children are exposed to particularly high levels of violence, UNICEF’s work will focus on improving the quality of psychosocial services available to children and will help to strengthen child protection services.

In the UK, RLWC2021 will support Unicef UK with the roll out of its existing Rights Respecting Schools Award. Unicef UK works with schools in the UK to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured, and they are able to thrive. The Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens. RLWC2021 will help Unicef UK work with schools to deliver the programme in the host towns and cities of Doncaster, York, Newcastle, Sheffield and the Tees Valley.

Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of RLWC2021, said: “Sport has a unique ability to unite and inspire people. Through this partnership, we hope to shine a light on children’s rights and raise awareness regarding the challenges children face in the UK and all around the world. We will raise vital funds to help support and protect children and both projects have an intrinsic link to our tournament.”

“There will be a fantastic carnival atmosphere at that opening fixture between England and the Brazilian Amazonas, the perfect curtain raiser to our women’s tournament. We’re hoping for a full house at the Emerald Headingley Stadium to get the tournament off to the ideal start and we’re confident that our pricing structure, as well as the chance to see our hosts England against the newcomers Brazil, will bring in the crowds.”

Andy Todd, Head of Sport at Unicef UK said: “We’re incredibly proud to be the official charity partner of the Rugby League World Cup 2021. The partnership will use the power of sport to raise awareness and funds for UNICEF’s work supporting children here in the UK and internationally. It’s thanks to partners like Rugby League World Cup 2021 that we are able to work towards our mission of creating a world where every child, no matter how hard to reach, survives and thrives in a safe, clean and nurturing environment.”

To apply for your tickets at the RLWC2021 women’s tournament including the opening fixture between England v Brazil, which is followed by PNG v Canada as part of a double-header at Emerald Headingley Stadium, visit rlwc2021.com/tickets. 50p from every transaction will go to Unicef UK.

For more information on the RLWC2021 and Unicef UK charity partnership, please visit unicef.org.uk/corporate-partners/rlwc21/