The Leeds Rhinos Foundation finished off 2015 in style with a Sky Try Taster Session that brought in over 19 new players to Ambassador Club Chapeltown Cougars’ under 7s age group.
As part of the Sky Try programme delivered by the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, North Leeds Development Officer Callum Tolson visited six schools in the catchment for the North Leeds club to deliver a block of curriculum time rugby sessions, before signposting the latest crop of young players from years 1 and 2 to the Cougars to start their rugby league journey.
The multi-million pound project Sky Try project, which supports Rugby League Foundation’s throughout the game, was launched in February 2014 with the aim to empower Rugby League clubs' charitable Foundations across the country to make a difference by delivering new opportunities to play, watch and become involved in the sport.
Over the course of the year, a series of clubs in the Leeds Rhinos Foundation club ambassador scheme were able to benefit from either a Sky Try Taster Session, which are designed to bolster participation across the city in the youngest age group, that now boasts over 170 players registered for club rugby across the city.
As part of the taster session model, clubs benefit from meeting Ronnie the Rhino and players from the Leeds Rhinos First team as well as, the chance to take part in an introductory coaching session that builds on the coaching delivered in the schools earlier in the term.
Under 7s Coach at Chapeltown Cougars, Stephen Walker commented on the success of the night:
"From the Rhinos going into the schools I think we had around 30 kids turn up tonight, which if they continue coming means that we can continue playing into next season and develop the under 7s and the under 5s who turned up tonight. it's great for the club and the children really seem to enjoy it, so it's just brilliant anything the Rhinos can do for the Cougars."
As a change from the usual format, the Cougars requested to have Leeds Rhinos Academy players attend the session to help provide inspiration for the kids as Callum Tolson explained:
"Chapeltown requested that the Academy players came down tonight because they think that it would send a bigger message to the players with it not being that far away, Ronnie the Rhino has been in attendance with all the trophies, so the kids have really enjoyed it, so Its not just about playing rugby, its about seeing what the game has to offer and as an ambassador club in Leeds now, there is just so much on offer for the youngsters."
Stephen Walker added:
"The children can look and see these players and think 'I can achieve that' as they are also young lads themselves.
"We also run the under 13s and a couple of our under 13s were here tonight and they are looking at these players, I can remember them starting as young as five and six and they are still here, so its been a great boost for the club and for the kids."
If you are interested in Rugby League and would like to find out more information about Chapeltown Cougars contact: Avril.sanderson@gmail.com or phone 07708 000035
A full video of the Sky Try Taster Session is available to view below: