The stars shine brightly at Hall of Fame dinner

The greatest rugby league players in the sport’s 129-year history were celebrated in fitting style in October when Rugby League Cares hosted the 2024 Hall of Fame induction dinner.

Sponsored by Slater Heelis Solicitors and in partnership with Ellis Rugby, the dinner saw six more all-time greats from the men’s and women’s games, and one Ashes-winning team, receive the ultimate honour the sport can bestow.

In front of over 300 guests at The Edge conference centre in Wigan, Jamie Peacock MBE, Jane Banks, Paul Sculthorpe MBE, Michelle Land, Alan Prescott and James Lomas were elevated into this most exclusive of clubs to join the existing 35 members of the Hall of Fame.

The dinner also saw the induction of the pioneering 1996 Great Britain women’s touring team to Australia, who became the first team to be inducted in recognition of their historic Ashes-winning success.

The great grandson and great granddaughter of James Lomas, captain of the first England team to tour Australia and New Zealand in 1910, received his Hall of Fame medal while George Nicholls was invited to the stage to receive the medal of Alan Prescott, who famously played with a broken arm for over 70 minutes in the second Ashes Test of 1958 to help Great Britain level the series.

Jamie Peacock MBE spoke of his immense pride at being inducted into such an elite club, while Paul Sculthorpe described how he had struggled to come to terms with the enormity of the honour after learning he was to be inducted. Both players were welcomed into the Hall of Fame by the great Ellery Hanley MBE.

Jane Banks and Michelle Land became the fourth and fifth women to take their place in the Hall of Fame and received their medals from the fellow inductee Brenda Dobek.

All three were joined by the two other female Hall of Famers, Lisa McIntosh and Sally Milburn, on stage as members of the 1996 Lionesses team, who were given a standing ovation by a delighted audience.

Tony Sutton, the RFL Chief Executive, said: “It was another special night for the sport. We are grateful to the Hall of Fame panellists for their time and expertise, to Rugby League Cares for their leadership of this process, and of course to the inductees for their contributions to the sport.”