Leeds Rhinos Women made history on Saturday as they fought back from 14-6 down to defeat Castleford Tigers 20-14 to lift their first piece of silverware in their inaugural season and they are now hoping to inspire more girls to start playing the game.
The team were led by women and girls development officer at Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Lois Forsell, who scored the match winner and the squad included eight players who had been promoted from the club's Academy.
"To win the Challenge Cup in our first season together was an unbelievable achievement and I am so proud of all the players and coaching staff," said Forsell.
""For many of the girls in the team they started playing rugby league with their local community clubs and I hope this these players can now inspire more girls to play rugby. It's a great time to be involved in our sport and there are now more opportunities than ever for girls to play rugby league in Leeds. At Leeds Rhinos Foundation, through our Rugby League Development Plan, supported by MEARS, we are working with community clubs and schools in the city to break down any barriers that may have previously been there to prevent girls playing. We now work with ten girls teams in Leeds and surrounding areas and they are always looking for new players, so there are lots of opportunities for girls to start their rugby league journeys.
"We are also running a player development programme which focuses on working with players in school years 10, 11 and up to the age of 19 years old. The players are coached by Leeds Rhinos Women coaches and they get the chance to meet players from the Women’s squad who will be encouraging the girls and passing on their knowledge."
Upcoming Events
Girls Skills Session – South Leeds Spartans
Thursday 7th August, 12noon-2pm
Girls Skills Session – East Leeds
Tuesday 28th August, 12noon-2pm
Player Development Session – East Leeds Rugby Club
Monday 8th October
Details of the city's women and girls teams are below:
– West Leeds Girls and Ladies ARLFC- Contact Donna Tobbit 07766556828 or donna_tobitt@hotmail.com
– Stanningley Girls and Ladies ARLFC- Contact Garry Sides 07956887305 or garrysides195@msn.com>
– Oulton Raidettes Girls and Ladies ARLFC – Contact Ash Bond 07584131197 or oultonraidetteash@hotmail.com>
– East Leeds Girls and Ladies ARLFC- Contact Dean Gledhill 07789113515 or deangledhill@hotmail.co.uk
– Shawcross Sharks Girls ARLFC- Contact Bridgette Woods on bridgenmatty@live.co.uk
– Dewsbury Moor Girls ARLFC- Contact Claire Berry clamic1@hotmail.com 07870408152
– Dewsbury Celtic Girls ARLFC- Contact Adele Mack 07912842776 or adelemack1@hotmail.co.uk
– South Leeds Spartans contact Joanne Harrison-Lee on jo_ww@hotmail.co.uk or 07708116963
– Farnley Falcons contact Jonny Adams on jonny.adams@hotmail.co.uk or 07743900239
– Headingley Hawks contact Ellis Pascall on ellis.pascall@leedsrhinosfoundation.org or 07807087797
(Under 12s at 07919400509 and headingleyhawks@gmail.com)