PROFESSIONAL Rugby League called for a bigger voice in the running of the game yesterday.

More than 500 players have joined the Rugby League Players’ Association, which is part of general union GMB.

GMB says that while the game’s governing body the Rugby Football League (RFL) recognises the union, clubs do not.

Great Britain star Garreth Carvell was part of a union delegation to the All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Support Group this week.

The RFL has set up a working group which is due to meet the GMB this month to discuss trade union recognition.

GMB senior organiser Peter Davies said: “We have answered the call from players expressing their concerns that they don’t have a strong enough influence within the game.

“We have always been recognised by the governing body of the sport, the RFL, but are not recognised by the clubs — who are the employers.

“That leaves us without any local involvement when it comes to the issues our members face on the ground.

“That can be anything from their professional development, to their life after the sport, to collective bargaining around pensions and bonuses.”

Carvell said: “The union, the clubs and the RFL all have shared objectives and we are all committed to seeing the sport grow, but without recognition for the players’ union at club level we are always playing catch up when it comes to changes to the way people play and earn their living within the sport.”