Rhinos Challenge will see clubs rewarded for sportsmanship and fair play for the first time in 2017 as part of Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Rhinos Respect Campaign to promote positive touchline behaviour.
The Rhinos Respect Campaign, which launched in 2016 as part of the charity’s Rugby League Development Plan sponsored by MEARS, was introduced as a response to concerns from across the game about unacceptable touchline behaviour in rugby league and saw every community club in the city receive signage to display around their grounds.
The Respect Boards displaying the motto “Don’t shout at me, don’t swear at me, I’m just a child, let me have fun” also made an appearance for the first time at Rhinos Challenge in 2016 and the charity will go one step further this year providing further incentive for players, supporters and clubs to set an example by presenting a fair play award to the club’s displaying best touchline behaviour and sportsmanship during the festival.
The club in each age group who qualifies for the award will receive a signed Leeds Rhinos ball at their presentation night at the event alongside the regular awards for Man of Steel and team trophies to successful teams from the festival.
Rugby League Development Manager for Leeds Rhinos Foundation Leon Crick said:
“We are proud as a rugby league club to promote a positive environment for young children playing our game and our Respect Campaign to date has been very successful in reminding clubs to set a good example throughout the season.
“The fair play award at Rhinos Challenge is just another incentive for clubs to honour some of the important ideals of the game such as respecting players, referees and showing exemplary sportsmanship.
“We view Rhinos challenge as not only a memorable tour experience for young players and families but as just as important, a development platform for young players and referees, so hopefully this award help will promote that environment this weekend.”