Leeds Rhinos Foundation in partnership with Stowe Family Law ran a Rugby League festival for High School Girls in years 7 and 8 this week at Roundhay School providing 14 schools and over 170 players a chance to enjoy rugby competition
Through a partnership with Stowe Family Law and Partner Marylin Stowe, Leeds Rhinos Foundation have been engaging with girls across the city with delivery from Women and Girl's Development Officer Lois Forsell, who provides rugby coaching to schools in Leeds as part of her role with the charity.
Founder and Senior Partner at Stowe Family Law, Marylin Stowe has acted as an ambassador for the charity's work with women and girls in sport since the partnership was announced in mid-February, sponsoring the Leeds Rhinos Foundation with £10,000 to deliver opportunities for girls in sport.
The Stowe Family Law Girls Rugby Tournament, running for the first year in 2016, provided the girls who have competed in inter-league competitions and indoor programmes earlier in the year, a chance to compete with other schools across the city in an outdoor 9 a ‘side festival format and showcase some of the skills they've learnt in lunchtime and after-school clubs with Lois during the term.
David Young Community Academy finished over all winners, with a tense 2 tries to 1 victory over Corpus Christi in the final following semi-finals involving Farnley Academy and Corpus Christi's B side.
Newcomers to the tournament Sherburn High School were one of the success stories from the afternoon, narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot in their first tournament with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation along with Boston Spa, who competed just once in competitions last year and hosts on the night Roundhay School, who were taking part in their first ever girls rugby tournament.
Tournament organiser Lois Forsell commented:
"It's been fantastic to provide another competition for high school girls in the city, many of the girl's clearly have bright future's in the game based on some of the skills and performances on show today.
"The tournaments are as much about development as results and I’m very pleased to see some of the schools who haven't taken part in as much rugby joining us today and learning to play in competitions, with many playing for the first time from the year 7's, who can now develop in the sport as the continue through high school.
"Huge thanks once again to Marylin Stowe and Stowe Family Law for their support of girls rugby, which allows us as a Foundation to deliver more opportunities like today for girl's across the city."