GIANTS RECEIVE BARA AWARD

Huddersfield Giants were honoured with the professional club award at the inaugural British Asian Rugby League Awards hosted by the Rt Hon Sir Lindsey Hoyle MP in Speakers House.

As the birthplace of Rugby League, Huddersfield Giants hold a historic role in the sport and are dedicated to expanding its reach through innovative community engagement. The Giants made history as the first Super League club to hold an Iftar: demonstrating their commitment to inclusivity and respect for the traditions of their South Asian supporters. As part of their pioneering event, the Giants collaborated with their jersey sponsors to display 'Ramadan Mubarak' on the back of their jerseys, a unique gesture that resonated deeply with attendees and the wider community.

Additionally, the club invited Syrian refugee families to join the celebration underscoring their commitment to welcoming diverse groups and promoting unity.

Their dedication to representation extended further with the appointment of Cllr Masood Ahmed, former Mayor of Kirklees, and his daughter Iram as the club's first ever Ambassadors from an Asian background- a move that the club believes emphasised their commitment reflecting the diversity of their fan base. 

The Giants have worked closely with Cllr Ahmed and the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) on various initiatives, with future plans to host further cultural during 2025 to further engage South Asian communities. They have supported ongoing research and outreach programmes with BARA and the Rugby Football League, with focus on promoting rugby league within under-represented communities through initiatives to provide free transport and tickets to South Asian groups and other local communities, the Giants are actively lowering barriers to participation and encouraging wider access to the sport.

The leadership team, including owner and Chairman Ken Davy, Managing Director Richard Thewlis, and Cllr Masood Ahmed, have played a key role in driving these impactful projects. Together, they have positioned Huddersfield Giants as a leading example of inclusivity, transforming rugby league into a sport that celebrates unity and connection, and setting a standard for other clubs to create a welcoming environment for all fans.

Giants Managing Director Richard Thewlis said.

“It’s a great honour to firstly be invited by BARA to their inaugural awards ceremony and secondly to receive such recognition from them. The day coincided with the debut Commons speech by the newly elected Huddersfield MP Harpeet Uppal and it was a pleasure as always to meet her and she again in conversation re-affirmed her commitment to our club and the importance we have in the local community. 

"Our sport welcomes all into its environment as players, coaches, supporters, administrators or viewers all of whom are equally important and we look forward to another successful 2025 with the guidance and passion of Masood Ahmed driving us forward and again thank BARA for their award to club which we will proudly display in our boardroom.”