Leeds Rhinos Captain Danny McGuire went back to his old club at East Leeds ARLFC on Saturday in support of the new Rhinos Respect Campaign, which launched at all 32 Leeds Rhinos Ambassador clubs at the weekend at the start of the new community club season.
McGuire, who came through the ranks at East Leeds before making the switch the Leeds Rhinos to become Super League's top try scorer over 16 seasons at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, attended his old club's under 13s fixture against Featherstone Lions to help launch the the campaign, which he sees as important for the future of the game.
"It's an unbelievable idea, all the boys at the Rhinos are fully behind it and obviously i'm down here at my old stomping ground at East Leeds watching the under 13s play and I think its really important we educate the coaches and the parents to let the kids enjoy and express themselves and play rugby league. Said McGuire
"I realise at times the game can get a little bit heated and parents can get a bit over excited but its just all about enjoyment at this age and for the young players to find what they can do and enjoy the game, so this campaign will take off and hopefully everybody will get behind it."
Leeds Rhinos Foundation Community Clubs Development Officer Sam Horner, who oversees the Club Ambassador Scheme commented:
"Of the 32 Ambassador clubs in the scheme, most are very respectful and they have got the right structure in place but there are just some areas that need cleaning up and this is what the campaign is about, that respect right through the game and hopefully that filters out right through the country and through rugby league."
The Rhinos Respect Campaign, which falls under the Leeds Rhinos Foundation's Rugby League Development Plan, sponsored by MEARS will see two signs displayed at all community club fixtures this season to help promote positive touchline line behaviour.
A video of Danny McGuire's Visit to East Leeds can be viewed below: