Over 30 members of Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Club Ambassador Scheme came together last week to receive signed Leeds Rhinos balls, updates on plans for future coach development and a chance to discuss benefits and offers for the new Rugby League starting in 2017
Hosted at John Charles Centre for Sport, the monthly meeting provided representatives from clubs in the Ambassador Scheme with a chance to catch up on the latest news from Leeds Rhinos Foundation and a chance to start planning for the 2017 season in March.
The meeting included a visit from Dave Rotherham from the RFL to discuss the latest developments in coaching and what lies ahead in terms of the new award structures, licensing, opportunities for further CPD and a chance to put forward feedback to Rugby League’s governing body directly.
The talk from Rotherham, who is National Player Development Manager at the RFL, also covered areas of development for the coaching structure in England going forward, including potential for a code crossover award to provide Rugby Union coaches with a bolt on qualification to coach Rugby League and ways for level 1 coaches to add further levels to their current award.
The meeting explained the need for coaches working in the community game to have more relevant awards for their current coaching level with Leeds Rhinos Foundation now primed to deliver follow up courses to the Level 1 award offered to over 60 coaches through 2016.
Coaches will be offered bolt on qualifications for coaching Primary Rugby League and a specific award for 13 a ‘side rugby, as part of the new structure from the RFL with flexible weeknight delivery available again from Leeds Rhinos Foundation in 2017.
Community Club Development Officer for Leeds Rhinos Foundation Sam Horner then discussed opportunities for coaches to work on their personal coaching development by announcing the first two Coach Education Workshops taking place in December and January.
Headed up by Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brian McDermott again in 2017, the programme will include guest appearances from the Leeds Rhinos first team squad such as Adam Cuthbertson and Rob Burrow in the coming months, which coaches from Ambassador Clubs will have access to.
Referee development was also be on the agenda with a new ‘Ref with the Rhinos’ programme due to start in January, offering more young referees the chance to gain qualifications in different Rugby formats and gain experience refereeing junior rugby at Headingley Carnegie Stadium and at school and club festivals throughout the year.
Sam Horner also provided feedback to clubs about the ‘Score to Explore’ programme, which took place in October Half Term, seeing over 30 young players from a range of community clubs enjoy two days of outdoor activity at Herd Farm. The programme will be running again at the end of the 2017 season for clubs to put forward players thanks to Geoff and Gill Caplan.
With news of the South Stand development now confirmed for the new season, clubs were updated on the matchday offers and community club involvement for next season, providing under 7s to 11s the chance to take to the pitch as Half Time teams, player escorts, pitch parades and guards of honour.
Over £5000 tickets were sold to community club players and their families during the 2016 season with over 1200 children playing at half time. The boxing day game will once again provide a chance for clubs to get involved in the matchday experience along with Ryan Hall’s testimonial game against Hull KR on 20th January.
Another exciting development for clubs for the new season will be a new central purchasing scheme to reduce kit and equipment costs for ambassador clubs. Top sports brands Stag Sports, X-Blades and Centurion will now become part of the offer going forward.
While clubs get ready for the new season, junior age groups from 7-11 will be taking part in the Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Winter Indoor Touch programme at the new venue of Football World in Leeds, running through to February including a special Minis and Tots Christmas party in December.
The programme has multiple benefits for junior players and their clubs from skill development to simply keeping the players together during the off-season break, with club coaches able to rotate their squads and give players a chance to learn the game in a touch rugby environment.
To help with recruitment, Leeds Rhinos Foundation Development Officers are now working in the four corners of the city to deliver introductory primary rugby sessions, working with years 1 and 2 to recruit new under 7s players for community clubs in time for the new season.
Sky Try Taster sessions are being agreed with clubs, with some taking place in December and into the new year. The Sky Try programme helped 20 clubs in Leeds set up under 7s throughout 2016 following the signposting of school pupils to their local clubs from Foundation officers.
Club Ambassadors also received their signed Leeds Rhinos balls which the clubs can use for fundraising going forward through club raffles during the year, the offer is part of a number of fundraising incentives for clubs working with Leeds Rhinos Foundation during the season including the Grand Prize Draw which provides cashback to clubs for tickets sold.
Clubs Ambassadors will next meet in December to continue to develop the game in the city and wider region through a strong network of clubs linked with the Leeds Rhinos and their official charity.
For more information on the Club Ambassador Scheme and any offers available contact Sam.Horner@leedsrhinosfoundation.org