Weekly training sessions for Leeds Rhinos Foundation Physical Disability Rugby League team are now underway led by Disability Coordinator Chris Godfrey as the team continue to prepare for more fixtures in 2018 and now open to new players interested in taking part in Rugby League’s newest concept.
Physical Disability Rugby League is a modified version of the game which involves both full contact and touch tackle options, to allow all players who have physical disabilities to participate.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Warrington Wolves Foundation made history on 4th February when the two charities played out the UK’s first ever Physical Disability Rugby League team at Victoria Park, Warrington.
As the concept grows Leeds Rhinos Foundation are planning a return leg of the fixture with Warrington with other Rugby League charities also showing interest in setting up teams to take part in competition.
To build on the momentum of the concept Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s PDRL team have begun weekly training sessions which are now open to anyone who qualifies for Physical Disability Rugby League and would like to get involved with the team, running from 8-9pm on Monday nights at South Leeds Stadium.
Speaking at the team’s first training session Leeds Rhinos Foundation Disability Coordinator Chris Godfrey said:
“We’ve had our first training session tonight and numbers have grown again which is great, we’ve had 16 lads down tonight and a number of others who couldn’t make it which is fantastic for us as the sport keeps growing, the sessions aren’t closed off yet, so anyone who wants to come along and get involved is more than welcome.”
The criteria for participation in PDRL is:
- Aged 16+
- Cerebral palsy (cat. C6, C7, C8)
- Upper and/or lower limp amputee or limb deficiency
- Acquired brain injury (stroke or traumatic injury)
- Muscular atrophy diseases
- Other disabilities considered upon review
For more information on Leeds Rhinos Foundation PDRL and more details on how to get involved contact Chris.Godfrey@leedsrhinosfoundation.org
We caught up with Chris and the team at the first session to hear about their first taste of competition against Warrington Wolves Foundation last month and their reasons for getting involved in Rugby League’s newest platform for players with physical disability.