Here at Leeds Rhinos Foundation, we are delighted to announce that we have received three-year funding from the St. James’s Place Foundation to support a new programme using rugby league and sport as a tool to improve physical literacy, wellbeing and personal development for children and young people across Leeds.
The funding will enable the Foundation to expand its work in targeted primary and secondary schools, with a particular focus on the top 10% most deprived areas of the city, including communities across South Leeds.
Through regular sessions delivered during the school day and after school, the programme will provide opportunities for children and young people facing social and economic disadvantage to get active, build confidence and develop skills such as teamwork and communication.
Sessions will be inclusive and tailored to meet a wide range of needs, including young people with physical, learning or sensory disabilities. Sport will provide an engaging and enjoyable way to support physical health, emotional resilience and positive choices.
A key part of the programme will also be building stronger links between schools and local community clubs, creating clear pathways for young people to continue participating in sport beyond their school sessions. The Foundation will also work to address barriers such as cost, access and confidence.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation Head of Partnerships and Development, Dan Busfield commented on the partnership: “We’re incredibly proud and grateful to be working with St. James’s Place on this new programme.
“Sport has a unique ability to engage young people, build confidence and create opportunities, and this initiative will allow us to reach children and young people who can face some of the biggest barriers to being active.
“By using rugby league and sport as a tool for physical literacy, we can help young people develop important skills both on and off the pitch, while creating pathways into continued participation within their local communities.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact this funding will have across Leeds over the next three years and we thank St. James’s Place for their valued support.”