To celebrate International Women’s Day 2019, we are highlighting some of the incredible work our charity does to promote sport and physical activity to women and girls.
Netball:
Leeds Rhinos Netball is continuing to support the country’s most popular female team sport by delivering training hubs, camps and workshops to girls across the region. The club offers a pathway for netballers of all ages, providing specialist coaching and development opportunities for athletes.
The Rhinos’ Netball Academy now has approximately 180 athletes, more than doubling the number from last season. The team are now also running five weekly training hubs across Yorkshire, accommodating an additional 65 players.
Leeds Rhinos Netball are visiting more schools than ever before to provide coaching sessions. ‘Mini Netball’ classes- for junior players aged 5-12 years old- have seen over a 300% growth in participation, with the sessions now being delivered to more than 90 aspiring netballers at four regional venues.
Anna Carter, Director for Leeds Rhinos Netball, said: “Netball is one of the first team sports that girls come across in school and yet schools alone can’t focus purely on physical activity.
“Through providing extra resource outside of the education system we’re giving those girls with a clear passion for sport somewhere they can take it further – and this is what Rhinos Netball is all about. It’s taking that passion and ambition to the next level, whoever you are and whatever your age.
“We have girls from all backgrounds coming through Rhinos and they’re not just improving on their game skills, they’re learning to focus and to be ambitious,” said Carter. “That’s what women’s sport should be; a place to achieve goals and not feel held back.”
For more information, visit www.leedsrhinosnetball.co.uk.
Dance:
Leeds Rhinos Foundation offer a wide range of dance opportunities throughout the year from regular junior classes in cheer and street dance with the Rhinestones Dance Academy, to holiday camps, parties and in-school dance sessions as part of the school sports plan.
The Rhinestones Dance Academy is celebrating its 10th birthday this year and currently has over 100 girls registered and engaging in the classes on a weekly basis.
Nicola Booth, Dance Development Officer at Leeds Rhinos Foundation, said: “There are so many benefits to dancing, at the Rhinestones girls are learning a skill, being part of team and being, gaining confidence through performances and being inspired by some fantastic female role models through the coaches and student teachers.
“Dance is special to me it lifts your mood, allows you to express yourself and is great way to keep fit and strong. I’m proud of all the girls that come through the doors at Rhinestones; they’re all so different but all love to dance at what level works for them.
“Over the years I’ve shared my love for dance with hundreds of girls. Some come for the fun and social element and others come to progress technically and compete, but everyone is made to feel welcome; it’s a sisterhood.”
Rugby League:
Leeds Rhinos Women enjoyed a fantastic debut season in 2018 as they lifted the Challenge Cup with a 20-14 victory over Castleford Tigers, and also secured the League Leaders’ Shield after topping the final table in the Women’s Super League.
Lois Forsell, team captain and Development Officer for Leeds Rhinos Foundation, was a driving force behind the success of the side and was rewarded by being named Sportswoman of the Year at the recent 2019 Leeds Sports Awards.
Fixtures for the 2019 Women’s Super League were released today, to mark International Women’s Day, with the Rhinos set to begin their campaign at home to Wakefield Trinity, on Sunday, 7 April. To see the full fixture list for Leeds Rhinos Women, click HERE.
The Women’s team, which includes many players who have played for local community clubs, are also inspiring the next generation of players with Leeds Rhinos Foundation. We are running rugby league taster sessions for girls looking to get into the game at a community club on the following dates:
– Monday 18th March (6:30-7:30pm)- South Leeds Spartans- Years 4 to 11
– Wednesday 20th March- (6-7pm)- West Leeds Eagles- Years 6 to 11
For more information about the taster sessions, email lois.forsell@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.
Women’s Rugby League is one of the fastest growing sports in Leeds and there are now more opportunities than ever for girls to get involved in playing the game.