The Leeds Rhinos Foundation teamed up with Jane’s Appeal for the annual Jane Tomlinson Festival at Leeds Rugby Academy seeing Temple Moor High School retain the Memorial Trophy for the second year running at Leeds Rugby Academy.
Teams from schools across the city including: Morley Academy, Allerton High, Farnley Academy and last year’s winners Temple Moor took part in this year’s festival, now in its 5th year of running in a modified 9 a ‘side format.
The trophy was set up in support of the inspirational Jane Tomlinson and as a showcase for the great talent, determination and courage of girls' Rugby League with the aim to encourage more young people to be involved in Rugby League.
Unbeaten on the night, Temple Moor lived up to last year’s success winning all four of their games and edging out runners up Morley Academy with a 2 tries to 1 victory along with wins against the other sides in action without conceding a try.
Free scoring runners-up Morley Academy were also on form on the day scoring a tournament high 16 tries winning three out of their four games and pushing the eventual winners Temple Moor close in what turned out to be the deciding game.
Newcomers Woodkirk and Farnley academy, along with Allerton High finished joint third to complete the standings, all winning one game and putting in solid performances on the night, with many of the girls playing their first competitive tournaments from the year 7 year group.
The festival was organised by the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Women and Girl’s Development Officer Lois Forsell who commented on the success of the night:
“It was another fantastic showing from all the teams again this year, unfortunately we did have a few teams who couldn’t make the trip for the festival but all five teams embraced the occasion and picked up the small sided format really well.
“Congratulations once again to Temple Moor who are proving to be a real powerhouse in girls’ school rugby, adding the trophy to others that they have won this year and of course a huge thank you to Jane’s Appeal for helping to organise the event again this year.
“We have had many girls who are playing competitive rugby for the first time as year 7’s which is what this tournament is all about, so credit to Jane’s Appeal for making that possible through arranging this tournament.”
Siobhan Curtis from Jane’s Appeal added:
“Jane was very big on getting all kids involved in sport and Women and Girls especially, so it’s been good to have a focus on Rugby and getting the girls engaged when it often gets overlooked sometimes, but not in the case of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, they are very big on getting the girls engaged and Jane was very big on getting kids active in sport and I think it’s great to have an event such as this to carry on that legacy.”
Leeds Rhinos First Team players Robbie Ward and Ash Handley were on hand to present the trophy to Temple Moor High School and certificates to all players who took part to cap off another excellent Jane Tomlinson Festival.
For more information on girl’s rugby, please contact Lois.Forsell@leedsrugby.com
To make a donation or find out more information about Jane’s Appeal visit: http://www.janetomlinsonappeal.com/
The full video of this year’s Jane Tomlinson Girls Rugby Festival is a available to view below: