Rochdale Hornets sign pledge in commitment to equality and diversity for all

Rochdale Hornets is proud to have signed the Muslim Athlete Pledge - an initiative helping sporting organisations demonstrate its commitment to equality and diversity for all.

With an increase of Muslim players in the profession, as well as support from Muslim fans, Hornets sought to sign the Muslim Athlete Pledge to listen, learn, and adopt good practice to help our players flourish and our fans feel loved and supported. 

Rochdale Hornets have Muslim players throughout our Ladies and Community Team, and the pledge is a commitment and start to recognising Muslim needs in the sport - as well as the club - and to understand the importance of delivering equality and diversity within the game. 

The Rugby Football League became English sport's first national governing body to sign the Muslim Athlete Charter on 1 April, and Rochdale Hornets join a list of other rugby league clubs to have signed the list which includes Warrington Wolves, Wakefield Trinity and London Broncos. 

Mark Wynn, Chair of Rochdale Hornets Foundation, has expressed his proudness in the club for signing the pledge. 

He said: "It has been a pleasure working with Ebadur at Nujum Sports, and Ben Abberstein at the RFL to get us to this point.

"At Hornets we have always placed the club and Foundation at the heart of our communities and through our work, we now have a Rochdale Hornets Community Club, a Wheelchair and Ladies team which are celebrating their 10th year.

"The signing of the Muslim Athletes Charter is the next step in making sure Rochdale Hornets remain at the heart of all that is good in the sport and the borough. We look forward to the day when a local born Muslim athlete pulls on the famous red, white and blue to make the step up and represent the town as a professional rugby league player with Rochdale Hornets."

Nujum Sports CEO and founder, Ebadur Rahman has said: “Having signed the pledge, Rochdale Hornets is joining a positive movement of solidarity, equality, and recognition of the contribution Muslims make in their respective clubs and teams.

"It is the start of a journey that will see Nujum support professional clubs and their players, and help them aspire to be even more inclusive and build on the passion and love we have for our respective clubs, players, and fans."

Rochdale Hornets operate a firm zero tolerance towards any form of discrimination.

To learn more about Nujum Sports and the pledge, please visit nujumsports.co.uk/pledge