§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason officer cadets at Sandhurst Military Academy have been refused permission to play rugby league; and if he will make a statement. [115284]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Games and Sports Committee at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst was asked to consider the introduction of Rugby League at the Academy at its meeting on 15 May 2003. This committee meets three times a year and resources for the summer sports programme had already been allocated at its meeting in January 2003.
The committee reluctantly decided that, due to the number of sports activities already planned, the introduction of Rugby League this summer should be deferred. Currently there is neither the infrastructure, equipment, facilities nor back-up experience to support this venture at such short notice. The committee will revisit the matter again at its next meeting in September, and I am sure will give it careful consideration.