RFL moves into MediaCityUK

It’s not quite Switzerland, but The Rugby Football League has become the latest high-profile company and the first sporting federation to join the growing business community at MediaCityUK, new home of BBC Sport etc in Salford.

The governing body of Rugby League in Great Britain and Ireland will be taking its place alongside the BBC, ITV, the University of Salford and SIS when it moves into offices at The Greenhouse in February. The Greenhouse will be the base for the dedicated team that will administer Rugby League World Cup 2013, a 14-nation tournament which will be the first major international competition to be staged in this country following the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Nigel Wood, the RFL’s Chief Executive and Rugby League World Cup 2013 Tournament Director, said he was delighted to have agreed the move.

“We are committed to making the 2013 Rugby League World Cup the best tournament in the sport’s history and I am confident that our move to MediaCityUK will help us achieve that objective,” said Wood. “MediaCityUK will provide the perfect environment for our staff to deliver a Rugby League World Cup that will be one of the jewels of the UK’s Golden Decade of Sport.”

Stephen Wild, managing director, MediaCityUK, said: “It is an exciting time for the RFL and we are thrilled they’ve chosen to open an office here at MediaCityUK. They bring a new and different offer to the wide variety of businesses making their home in The Greenhouse. We believe it’s an ideal location for the RFL to market the World Cup to a wide audience.”

Rugby League World Cup 2013 will be staged in four countries with matches played across an exciting spectrum of venues in England, Wales, Ireland and France. One of the venues is the new City of Salford Stadium, which will host a group match and also host a team base camp.

The RFL is taking 2,100 sq ft. of space with The Greenhouse, with the aim of accommodating around 20 employees.