BRADFORD was today announced as home to the first National Rugby League Museum.

City Hall was chosen as the location for the new museum, celebrating the rich history of rugby league, following an extensive consultation process.

Bradford beat off competition from other cities and towns across the country to be chosen as the home of the museum, which has been created by sporting charity Rugby League Cares.

The museum will house rugby league’s extensive collections and historic artefacts when it opens in August 2020, marking the 125th anniversary since rugby league was invented.

Chris Rostron, general manager of Rugby League Cares, said: “It gives me great pleasure to confirm that Bradford will be the home of the new National Rugby League Museum from 2020.

“Through all our discussions with Bradford Council and its officers we have been overwhelmed by the positivity for this very prestigious project.

“The city’s commitment to working with Rugby League Cares to help us realise our ambitions to make the museum a world-class attraction shone through from day one.

“Bradford’s enthusiasm to host the National Rugby League Museum is matched by the energy within a city which is rapidly becoming one of the UK’s top destination venues, and our location in City Hall could not be more central or accessible.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said it was “fantastic” news.

She said: “We are delighted by this news and are committed to working with all relevant parties to ensure that the museum is a success.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for Bradford and we are very proud City Hall has been chosen as the location for the museum.

“Our city and district has a proud rugby league tradition and this museum will inspire the next generation of rugby league fans and players.”

Bradford was chosen by a panel made up of local authorities, the Rugby Football League, key stakeholders, and Dr Kevin Moore, the director of the National Football Museum.

The museum will be funded by private benefactors and central government grants.

Brigid Power, heritage manager for Rugby League Cares, said the charity was excited about the collections that will form part of the museum.

She said: “Our most recent donation has come from one of Bradford’s finest legends – Ernest Ward, whose son Trevor has very kindly donated some of his father’s medals, boots and photographs.

“Ernest played over 390 matches for Bradford Northern in the 1940s and 50s, so the donation is a great addition to the collection, in light of the location of the museum.”

Rugby League has a rich history in Bradford, with two clubs from the city being founder members of the code in 1895.

Bradford still holds the record for the biggest crowd for a rugby match in the UK, when a crowd of 102,575 gathered for the 1954 Challenge Cup final replay between Halifax v Warrington at Odsal.

In the Super League era, Bradford Bulls dominated in the early 2000s, with six Grand Final appearances including three wins.

Bradford will be officially unveiled as the home of the museum at an event in City Hall tonight, where famous faces from the sport and representatives from Rugby League Cares and Bradford Council will be in attendance.

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