The Rugby Football League’s community board have agreed a major investment in the sport’s grassroots to provide heavily-subsidised personal accident insurance for every youth and junior club in the country.

The biggest discounts will be offered to clubs who have achieved the prestigious Clubmark Gold status – an award which recognises the quality of their organisation.

Discounts are also offered for clubs who have achieved Clubmark status and clubs who have joined the club partnership scheme.

However, all clubs, regardless of their status, will be offered a discount on their insurance premium.

Any club wishing to join the club partnership scheme should contact Rugby League Services on 01484-448000.

Kelly Barrett, rugby league services manager, said: “The Community Board is acutely aware of how hard it is to generate finance for community clubs. To be able to offer this assistance at this time is very important to us.”

Charlie Bray, youth and junior representative for the RFL Community Board, said: “This will have a really positive effect on clubs within the grassroots of the game and will provide a much valued relief to the clubs that work so hard to raise funds.”