Two special celebration events are to be held this year to mark the completion of exciting redevelopment work at Emerald Headingley Stadium.
In what promises to be unforgettable occasions for all those in attendance, a city-wide Community Engagement Day including school children and young people will take place on Wednesday, July 17, and be followed on Saturday, September 21, by a spectacular ‘Proms on the Pitch’ event led by world renowned soprano, Lesley Garrett.
As part of the Community Engagement Day, children will have the chance to emulate their sporting heroes and step on to the hallowed turf of both the cricket and rugby pitches at Emerald Headingley. Representatives from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, who engage and work closely with thousands of young people in communities across Leeds each year, will be on hand throughout to provide a range of disability focused events and fun coaching sessions to Key Stage Two pupils.
As part of the day, a special ceremony will also be held to mark the official opening of the newly completed £45 million redevelopment of Emerald Headingley Stadium. Included in the redevelopment is the new Emerald Stand. Boasting 4,300 seats, spectacular views, and state-of-the-art corporate facilities, the Emerald Stand is set to play a huge part in further cementing Emerald Headingley’s reputation as a top-class venue to watch world-class cricket and rugby. This year alone, Emerald Headingley will host four 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup matches, starting with England v Sri Lanka tomorrow (Friday, 21 June), and a prestigious Ashes Test Match against Australia in August. Fans are invited as part of the England v Sri Lanka clash to enjoy a fanzone on Millennium Square which will be arriving from tomorrow to Sunday 23 June. For more details, please see the notes to editors section.
Once Emerald Headingley Stadium’s spectacular sporting summer is over, there will also be the chance to enjoy a very special ‘Proms on the Pitch’ at the venue on Saturday, September 21. Featuring a huge 52-piece orchestra, fans will be able to watch on the rugby pitch, a stellar line-up headed by soprano Lesley Garrett. Event goers will be able to purchase tickets to either go on the pitch or stand on the terraces or book seats in either the new look South or North Stand in the rugby stadium to watch the whole event. Tickets are on sale now from the Stadium Events Section at tickets.therhinos.co.uk or by calling 03714231315 and from the Leeds City Centre Box Office at www.leedstownhall.co.uk or by calling 0113 376 0318.
Leader of Leeds City Council Cllr Judith Blake, said: “Emerald Headingley Stadium is a sporting venue which is revered by people of all ages, not just in Leeds and the wider region, but right across the world. We are extremely proud therefore that when people come to watch the Leeds Rhinos, Yorkshire CCC and other global international sporting events such as the Ashes Test match this August, they will do so in a stadium which is looking truly magnificent following the completion of significant redevelopment work.
“The community-focused programmes which both the Rhinos and Yorkshire CCC undertake especially with young people in our city are absolutely tremendous. It is very fitting therefore that to mark the refurbishment, a very special Community Engagement Day will be held on July 17. As part of the day, young people from schools across Leeds will have the chance to play on the hallowed turf of both the rugby and cricket pitches, which promises to be a truly unforgettable occasion for everyone involved.”
Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington, said: “As the stadium approaches its 130thanniversary it is fitting to commemorate and celebrate the new £45 million redevelopment with two special events to be enjoyed and remembered for many years to come by the citizens of Leeds.
“Leeds City Council have always recognised the value of Emerald Headingley Stadium to the city and their role in promoting these events as city-wide celebrations will be appreciated by all local sports fans and others who take pride in Leeds and its development.”
Yorkshire CCC Chief Executive Mark Arthur, said: “This wonderful development at Emerald Headingley Stadium has returned Yorkshire CCC to the top table when major international cricket matches are allocated in this country. It would not have been possible without the support from Leeds City Council, for which we are very grateful. The cricketing world will see what has been achieved at Emerald Headingley over the next few weeks with the Cricket World Cup and the return of the Ashes after a ten year absence.”