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Listed Sporting Events

I totally agree. My differences with Sky in relation to rugby league were many years ago. The one thing that I have always been committed to is the game of rugby league. I will always remain strongly supportive of the game at both amateur and professional level. This is about balance. Sky is doing the championship games; it is doing the premiership and the super league. Every week, it is rolling out good matches and good coverage. However, when it comes to the cup final, the exciting part, bringing teams together, we must ensure that the finest game in the world is available on free-to-view television. I cannot express that passion enough to the Minister. We must get that message across. Rugby league is one big family, whether we are talking about the members of the family in Australia or the national game of Papua New Guinea. Wherever it is in the world, rugby league is united on one thing: it is a great sport, a family sport, a sport to which we can all be committed. Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater by making the wrong decision. We educate people in the south by showing the game live from Wembley, so do not allow that to go. The finest experience that I have had this season has been that of my father walking out at Wembley, leading Warrington out and coming back to Warrington with the challenge cup. There is no finer experience that I could have. Chorley Panthers had the Tomkins brothers there, so we are a good feeder club to Wigan, and long may that continue. Once again, I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wigan for ensuring that this debate is taking place, and that we get the right decision. I can see how serious the matter is when I look behind the Minister and see that he has four officials sitting there writing, recognising that rugby league must remain. Thank you very much.