Spen Allison, the chairman of the British Amateur Rugby League Association, has announced his commitment to increase levels of personal accident insurance in the amateur game to match those in the professional arena.

York-based Allison reckons the current level of insurance cover provided for the amateur game is inadequate and wants to increase it from the current maximum pay-out of £50,000 to a new level of £200,000.

Allison said: "We believe that £50,000 is not an adequate level of insurance cover for players who suffer life-changing injuries especially when viewed against the long-term help that players may need after their injury.

"We have a responsibility as a game to our players and I am determined to increase the levels of insurance cover available to them. The cost would be an additional 50p per week per player which, when you think about it, is less than the cost of half a pint of beer and the cover would rise from £50,000 to £200,000."

Jimmy Gittins, the Sharlston Rovers player who suffered a serious neck injury playing the game in 2002, endorsed the BARLA chairman's position and said: "I'm backing the campaign to provide increased benefits - its imperative that amateur players are properly covered."

Phil Clarke, the Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund spokesman, said: "It's great that BARLA has grasped this issue and are taking steps to address the situation. I'm encouraged that this initiative has Spen's personal backing and would urge players and clubs to support this move."

Sharlston Rovers and Queensbury will meet in the final of the Tetley's BARLA Yorkshire Cup after they beat Cutsyke and Drighlington respectively in the semi-finals. Holders Drighlington had knocked out New Earswick in the quarter-finals.

Updated: 11:04 Thursday, November 24, 2005