BRADFORD Bulls have become the latest professional rugby league club to sign the Muslim Athlete Charter, demonstrating the club’s commitment to inclusion in the city.

Signing the charter is part of the club’s wider work around equality and diversity, and they see it as an important step in understanding, growing and adopting good practice.

It marks the beginning of a partnership with Nujum Sports, the driving force behind the charter, which will help the club strengthen their voice and zero tolerance approach to any form of discrimination.

Bulls chief executive Jason Hirst said: “The Bradford Bulls have worked with and celebrated communities of all faiths for many years, marking celebrations and festivals throughout the year such as Christmas, Eid, Diwali and Easter among others.

“Our partnership with Sports Chaplaincy UK has seen us provide a club chaplain for over 20 years, supporting players, staff, volunteers and supporters of all faiths and none.

“Signing this charter continues our proud history of representing the diversity of our great city, through the force for good that is rugby league.”

Bulls club chaplain Chris Mason added: “This is an important step in our continuing development as a club.

“As club chaplain, it’s important to me and to those of faith in Bradford and the wider region that we recognise the diversity and beauty of faith in our city.

“In signing this charter, we hope to develop our welcome, support and encouragement to those of faith as they engage in the community of rugby league at every level.

“We are excited to begin a partnership to support and engage Muslim players and communities across our city.

“Our hope is that men, women and children of all faiths will benefit from the club’s developing diversity and inclusion agenda as we move forward with this charter.”