LHF Healthplan, the official sponsor of the LHF Healthplan National League, has teamed up with the Rugby Football League and the clubs of the National League to attract young teenage girls into the sport this season, as part of an 18-month campaign to raise the profile of female Rugby League and increase levels of participation.

The combined award from LHF Healthplan and Sportsmatch will pump more than £100,000 of funding into the grassroots of the sport. This valuable investment will enable Rochdale’s development teams to work with girls in the area to teach them the basics of the game.

This year’s Sportsmatch scheme follows in the footsteps of LHF Healthplan’s extremely successful 2005 campaign, which helped more than 30,000 primary school children across the country get to grips with rugby league for the first time.

Jane Fenwick, Director of Marketing, LHF Healthplan, said: “LHF Healthplan is delighted to be promoting Rugby League to girls with our 2006 Sportsmatch schools coaching scheme and, with it, tackling an important area of development for the sport. We are hoping to attract more girls than ever into the sport in a hope that they will continue to participate and develop the women’s game in this country.

“This initiative once again demonstrates LHF Healthplan’s continued support for rugby league at all levels and our commitment to the communities of the LHF Healthplan National League.”

Julia Lee, National Community Development Manager, RFL, added: “LHF Healthplan’s generous investment in to the grassroots of Rugby League has enabled us to establish the game in new and exciting areas. The 2006 LHF Healthplan Sportsmatch scheme will be key in raising the profile of female rugby league and generating new higher numbers of participation.”