Through the Club Ambassador Scheme, Leeds Rhinos Foundation have developed strong links with a number of Community Clubs who are all now part of our Club Ambassador Scheme. One club who has particularly benefitted from the link with the Foundation has been Catterick Crusaders.
As a Club Ambassador the Crusades have been involved in a variety of initiatives with the Foundation, which they credit as being invaluable to their club’s development. Coaches from Catterick have attended the Coach Education project, led by Brian McDermott and their Under-9s and Under-11s got the chance to take part in the half time game when the Rhinos took on St Helens in the Challenge Cup.
Despite being the furthest located Community Club in the Ambassador scheme there has always been great enthusiasm from all at the club to get involved with the Foundation and many of their young players have travelled to take part in rugby camps in Leeds. Such was the level of interest for the camps parents asked if asked if it would be possible for a camp to be held in Catterick. Recruitment for participants began with a promotional event at Scotton Social, which was attended by Chris Clarkson who took part in a Q&A, and the camp went out to have a fantastic turnout, with 52 children taking part
Speaking about being part of the Ambassador Scheme Catterick Crusaders Chairman, Jason Grant MBE, said: “Sam Horner organised for two of our teams to play during the half time game and we brought down a coach full for the experience. We were given Long Bar passes for post-match and everyone from the youngest player to the oldest parent enjoyed the day. That event boosted recruitment at the club, and player numbers steadily grew at both those age groups.
”The social evening was a great event and all the attendees, including parents, enjoyed engaging with Chris and Sam in a Q&A session.
“The highlight of the season was the Guard of Honour duties that the U9/11's performed at the last home game of the season. Once word got out that this would be happening both teams were absolutely buzzing. Although not everyone could be on the guard of honour, it worked well that this was also the summer camp attendees parade at half time, so everyone got a piece of the action. We brought down a full coach for that event plus the equivalent of another in private cars, everyone had a great time.
“Shortly after that we attended the Celebration Dinner with a full table of ten and were thoroughly entertained. Throughout the year we have been well informed about what has been going on, but equally there has been no pressure to do each and every event and possibly overstretch ourselves. We've been allowed to be the drivers of this relationship, to a certain extent, and we appreciate the faith that was put into us to "make things work", namely the Summer Camp.
“People outside of the club have noticed how well the club is developing and as way of an example Richmondshire District Council have just awarded us a substantial funding award to help us develop teams within the Embed the Pathway bracket. Our relationship with Rhinos makes us an attractive club to be at, and assists in raising our profile and credibility when such funding requests are submitted.”