Leeds Rhinos Foundation will be helping to establish a new Rugby League club in the South of Leeds this month with the launch of the LS27 Spartans Rugby League Academy as part of the Rugby League Development Plan sponsored by MEARS.
Morley-based LS27 Sports Club, who will be part of the Leeds Rhinos Ambassador Scheme incorporating over 30 clubs from across the region, will operate initially with an under 7s age group which will be set up through the charity’s South Area Rugby League Development Officer Richard Tate.
Richard, who was a former Morley High School Student, will be working within South Leeds Primary schools as part of his role with the Foundation offering free coaching to year 1 and 2 pupils before signposting them to their local clubs for a taster coaching session, reflecting that which they have learnt in school.
As part of the Club Ambassador Scheme, LS27 Spartans will then receive regular support from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation through monthly Ambassador meetings alongside other clubs in the network and yearly support with recruitment to ensure the Academy continues to recruit players to build up their junior age groups going forward.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation support for clubs in the city to help set up new under 7s age groups has seen the number of under 7s players grow to 180 since 2013 when the Rugby League Development Plan was first put in place, with LS27 Spartans now becoming the first new club set up in the city as part of the plan.
South Area Rugby League Development Officer Richard Tate commented:
“I’m really pleased to be able to support the growth of this new club in Morley which has always traditionally been a great area for promoting rugby league talent. Stevie Ward and Carl Ablett came through the club system in South Leeds as well as former Leeds Rhinos Prop Nick Scruton, so there will be plenty of talent here ready to be developed.
“Through working in the schools in Leeds initially and providing the link to local clubs, we hope to support all clubs in the city with the recruitment of new players to keep the community game in Leeds stocked with the next generation of talent and with LS27 Spartans, South Leeds now has another club to develop young players alongside Hunslet Parkside, Hunslet Warriors, Beeston Broncos, Oulton Raiders and Methley Warriors, which is great for the game.”
“I’m really looking forward to working with the committee at the LS27 Sports Club, who have a great vision for the club going forward. Starting with the youngest age group with the Under 7s, we can hopefully recruit new players each year and then keep players with the club to build up a youth system incorporating every junior age group.”
LS27 Sports Club Chairman Lee Mullins added:
“The LS27 Spartans Rugby League Academy is part of a much bigger scheme to create something special for Morley. We are taking small but significant steps to build something for everyone in the town who is interested in sport.”
Find out more about the new LS27 Spartans Rugby League Academy on Twitter at @LS27_Spartans