Trials for Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) team gave hopefuls the chance to learn from Leeds Rhinos stars Jordan Lilley and Ashton Golding as the new team look to recruit their first squad.
The open trials took place at Leeds Rhinos training ground and gave prospective players the chance to find out more about the PDRL game and the exciting new venture from Leeds Rhinos Foundation that will see the charity become one of the first to launch a team for 2018.
As an added boost for the players trying out, Lilley and Golding coached the session taking the team through a range of drills used by the Rhinos first team.
Speaking at the trials, Lilley said: “Myself and Ashton were asked to come along and teach the guys some skills. We’ve been doing a bit of coaching up at Stanningley, so we enjoy the coaching aspect and helping people learn and get better. I think it’s brilliant that players with a disability can come down and learn some skills and everyone can do it more-or-less.”
Also in attendance at the trials was Physical Disability Rugby League Chairman John Welch, who was encouraged by the numbers attending the first session at Leeds.
“We started looking at this about six months ago,” said Welch.
“This is one of the concepts that has come across from Australia where they have been at it about six years, but within six months we have got Leeds on board, Warrington have got a team and Wakefield have shown some interest and we are approaching a number of foundations over the next couple of months to get their involvement as well.”
With a 9-a-side format involving two able bodied players, Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Disability Programme Coordinator, Chris Godfrey, was also encouraged not only by the turnout but skill level of the players’ involved:
“We are delighted with the turnout to our first session and with more people showing interest in the second try outs on the 27th, I’m confident we will have a very good group of players to run with for the 2018 season and all the plans going forward for the concept,” said Godfrey.
“We’ve had people with a range of disabilities try out but the constant theme has been people’s love of the game and enthusiasm for Rugby League. The guys have really enjoyed having Ashton and Jordan along and hopefully off the back of this session we can kick on with some great foundations for the season ahead.”
Army Veteran Simon Brown attended the session to try out. Brown, is a Help for Heroes Ambassador who during seven months of service as a corporal in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers sustained facial injuries during a rescue mission in Basra, Iraq, which has left him with just 20% vision in his right eye.
“Today has been great, it’s been 13 years since I’ve been able to put a pair of boots on and get involved in Rugby,” said Brown.
“The coaching staff have been fantastic, assessing every level whether you have played before or whether it’s your first time and all of us having some disability. It is a bit of a barrier but it’s not stopping us and that’s what is incredible about it, people come out in all weathers just for the love of the game.
“Having a Physical Disability team means Rugby League is now accessible to people that thought either they had lost the opportunity to play again or thought they would never have the opportunity. For me to be able to do this at 40 years old and having played since I was in my twenties is incredible.”
With the PDRL concept now up and running at two of Super League’s clubs and the backing of former players and celebrities, PDRL Chairman John Welch hopes that the concept will open up the game to a lot more people.
“From the Leeds point of view, they have Barrie McDermott involved as an ambassador and Adrian Morley who is another ambassador and publicly we have got Adam Hills, who is donning a Warrington shirt and playing the game,” added Welch.
“The PDRL concept has now got some really good backers and really good involvement and it’s just opening the game up to so many people it’s brilliant.”
The next try out for Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s PDRL team will take place on 27th January between 10am and 12 noon at Leeds Rugby Academy.
The criteria for participation 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
If you would like to register your interest in the team download an application form by CLICKING HERE and send back to chris.godfrey@leedsrhinosfoundation.org