Oldham St Annes ARLFC & Waterhead have become the latest two Rugby League club in Oldham Service Area, along with West Houghton of Wigan to achieve the prestigious Sport England Rugby League Clubmark Award. This is a huge achievement for all three clubs who are leading the way along with the other accredited amateur rugby league clubs across the North West Region.

Sport England Clubmark sets generic criteria for national governing bodies of sport to accredit their clubs against in order to create safe, effective, and child friendly environments. The RFL and BARLA have in turn been responsible for developing and setting sports specific standards and accrediting clubs against the national framework. County Sports Partnerships and Local Authorities, support the scheme locally. Clubmark brings benefits such as promoting clubs within their communities, increasing participation levels, developing coaches and volunteers at clubs, and raising standards.

Andy Harland, National Development Manager said "These successes significant achievement by all three club situated within the Greater Sports Partnership boundaries, but also the strengthening of the amateur game in the Manchester area. The award to the all three club can only help to promote the initiative further."

Chris Thair, North West Regional Development Manager commented "The ongoing roll out of the Sport England Rugby League Clubmark standard throughout the Rugby League Community will bring many benefits, including more sustainable opportunity for all to participate and progress in all sectors of our sport.

In short, the club has now been rubber stamped as having met high standards in the playing programme, child protection, sports equity and ethics and club management. Parents can be relaxed in the knowledge that their child will receive training in a quality environment, with qualified staff"