In association with Leeds City Council, Parklane College, Leeds and Hunslet schools, Leeds and District Amateur Rugby League Clubs.
Leeds Rhinos Girls Rugby League Community Development programme was set up in 2006 with the overall aim to encourage more women and girls from the local community to play the sport.
Since 2006 the Women and Girls programme has created opportunities for over 4,000 girls of secondary school age to participate in Rugby League. The programme is delivered to twenty five secondary schools across Leeds to girls who are mainly in years 7 and 8.
The programme is headed up by Leeds Rugby Community Development Officer Laura Clarke and follows a six week structure where girls learn basic ball handling and passing skills through to full contact and tackling.
The Leeds Rugby Foundation runs three tournaments a year for girls in years 7, 8, 9 and 10. The standard and success of these festivals have helped pave the way for the development of an under 13 Girls League, which shows just how much the demand for girls rugby within the city has grown in recent years. In its pilot year the Girls League has provided opportunities for secondary schools to play in a structured competition with regular fixtures.
The Leeds Rhinos Girls Rugby League Community Development programme also works to support schools entering the Carnegie Champion Schools Competition, a tournament run by the RFL in partnership with English Schools Rugby League, which has now seen 185 girls team take part.
We have opportunities for volunteer coaches and referrers if you are interested please contact Laura Clarke via email at laura.clarke@leedsrugby.com
