Paula Sherriff MP has become an Officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group.

Sherriff, the Member of Parliament for Dewsbury and an active member of the Parliamentary Group, became a Vice-Chairman of the Group on her birthday, 16 April.

Before her election to Parliament in 2015, Sherriff was a councillor in Pontefract on Wakefield District Council.  She is a lifelong rugby league fan having seen her first games with her father.  Well-known as a tough campaigner, she recently made Parliamentary history by becoming the first backbench MP to have an amendment made to a Budget resolution adopted with the abolition of tax on sanitary products, and is now looking for her next challenge.

She said “I am delighted to become a Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group and join colleagues of all parties to promote, support and challenge issues within rugby league.  The Group is one of the biggest and most popular in Parliament and I am looking forward to playing an even more active role. It’s also a lovely birthday present.”

The Chairman of the Group, Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland welcomed Sherriff, saying “we couldn’t ask for a more passionate individual to become an Officer of the Group.  Since she joined the Group, she has done all she can to support our work, and rugby league in Parliament.  She’s very welcome as an officer and we are all looking forward to working with her to support our game.”

Officers of the Group are:

• Lord Doug Hoyle (Labour)
• Greg Mulholland MP (Leeds North West, Liberal Democrat)
• Paula Sherriff MP (Dewsbury, Labour)
• Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP (Chorley, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Labour)
• Jason McCartney (Colne Valley, Conservative)
• David Mowat MP (Warrington South, Conservative)
• Marie Rimmer (St Helens South and Whiston, Labour)
• Lord Smith of Leigh (Labour)

The Group is open to Members of both Houses of Parliament, as well as Associate Members.  The group meets monthly when the House of Commons is sitting.  More information, including a full list of Members, is available on its website: www.apprlg.org.uk.