Leeds Rhinos Foundation Community Clubs Development Officer Sam Horner joined a collection of committee members at the recent Armley Labour Party Branch meeting to discuss the future of West Leeds ARLFC and the possibility of gaining an Inspired Facilities Grant to help restore a vital resource in the heart of the West Leeds community.
West Leeds ARLFC Juniors, Women, Girls, Masters and Open Age teams have been based at the West Leeds Sports and Social club for nearly 20 years and an integral of the community in the Armley Area and wider LS12 territory of West Leeds.
The club, which is part of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Club Ambassador Scheme, is supported by Community Club Development Officer Sam Horner, who works with all Leeds club ambassadors to help with development needs.
West Leeds ARLFC has particular significance for Sam, who was a club founding member along with Peter Nicholson and Michael Preston in the Armley area where he grew up and has since seen the club grow to include Junior teams at mini's, under 7s, under 8s, under 10s, under 12s, under 14s along with a Girls junior section and under 15 side, Women’s open age, men’s open age and over 35 Masters Team.
Currently there are approximately 150 players regularly using the facilities at the club along with parents and supporters. The club is a section of the privately leased West Leeds Sports and Social club where the changing rooms are now in a poor state of repair.
Repairs have to be funded by the Rugby section and the repairs this time will be quite expensive. The changing rooms are a shared facility, so there are plenty of changeovers on match days and for this reason, safe guarding and mixed gender could be an issue as the club grows.
Sam Horner, Club Secretary Samantha Nicholson and Committee Member Denise Smith have been working with David Raybould from the RFL, Chris Gott, Tony Stringwell and recently Paul Senior from Leeds City Council to apply for an Inspired Facilities Grant and to gain CASC status to enable the Club to complete a tenure of land lease for the pitch and training area.
The inspired facilities grant is for new changing rooms and the tenure of land and CASC status will secure the future of Rugby League in the Armley area for many years ahead.
Horner said:
"The committee, coaches and general volunteers are very passionate about their community and the Rugby League Club so this club is very much in need of support, sponsorship and funding to create a better environment for the people who use it.
"The Armley Labour Party Branch, members especially Alison Lowe, Alice Smart, Jim McKenna, John Battle, Andrea McKenna and Richard Honey, the Chairman have given us advice and in fact enabled the possible tenure of land to go ahead, also providing support and the chance for us to air our views at their busy meetings, of which we are all very grateful.
"We are hopeful our bid for an Inspired Facilities Grant is successful which will benefit local Rugby League but also be doing very good things in a much needy area of Leeds."
Labour Councillor Stuart McKenna, who recently became a new Leeds Rhinos Foundation Trustee will also be working closely with Sam Horner and will provide support and advice on community initiatives going forward.