Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Rugby League Development staff have run development sessions for hundreds of young players over the October half term as part of their Rhinos Talent Pathway programme.
In September, Leeds Rhinos Foundation launched their Rhinos Talent Pathway programme for the 2022-23 academic year. The initiative, aims to increase the number of quality rugby league players aged between 12 and 16, providing a clear pathway from the grassroots game into Scholarship, Academy rugby and beyond.
On Monday the Year 7 and 8 players were invited to the Bartercard Training Ground at Kirkstall to work with Leeds Rhinos Foundation coaches on a development day, where they focussed on developing core skills.
On Tuesday, Leeds Rhinos Foundation ran their first ‘Talent Transfer’ session of year. The charity have been working in schools to promote rugby league to athletes who may not have tried the sport before and the session attracted 23 new players to come and try out playing.
Alongside the support for the game in Leeds, the charity also works in Oldham to develop the sport in the region, thanks to its close ties with Oldham Sixth Form College. On Thursday 33 players in Year 9 and 10 attended a development day at Hathershaw College. These sessions aim to not only help athletes develop their skills but also support local clubs, including Saddleworth Rangers, Oldham St Annes, Limehurst Lions and Dodworth RLFC.
Thursday also saw the end of culmination of the five-week Rhinos Talent Pathway course for players in Year 10 and 11. After completing their final training session with the Rhinos coaches on Monday, the players involved got the opportunity to play in a game together against other clubs. Oulton Raiders hosted a festival that saw seven Under-15s and four Under-16s teams compete.
On Friday, Women and Girls Development Officer and Rhinos Women’s head coach, Lois Forsell ran a development session for 123 girls at the Bartercard Training Ground.
In total 160 players on the U12-13s Rhinos Talent Pathway programme have trained with the charity during half term and 55 players competed in the Year 10 and 11 Festival.
For more information on the Rhinos Talent Pathway contact darren.higgins@leedsrhinosfoundation.org