Last week, in partnership with Paralympics GB, the Foundation held an Inclusive Sports Day at Leeds Beckett University to celebrate winning the Every Body Moves Club of the Year Award.
Throughout 2023, Paralympics GB crowned their Every Body Moves’ Club of the Month, to shine light on some of the best inclusive opportunities to get active across the UK.
The Leeds Rhinos Foundation were honoured to receive the award in February of 2023, for our dedication to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to play Rugby League and engage in physical activity, no matter their ability or impairment.
Following a public vote, we received the amazing news that we had come first place, followed by the Trailblazers Powerchair Football Club in second place and Make Change and Brighton Table Tennis Club in joint third.
The aim of the celebration event was to bring together members from each of the inclusive communities we work with, encouraging them to get involved in different sports.
Special guests included Paralympic Champions, Hannah Cockroft and Ben Watson, alongside players from the Leeds Rhinos Men’s, Women’s, Wheelchair, LDSL and PDRL teams.
Attendees had the opportunity to try out new sports including Wheelchair Rugby League, Boccia, Tag Rugby and Sled Hockey.
Diversity and Inclusion Co-ordinator, Ed Bates, commented on the event: “It is massive for us, as a Foundation we say that we provide the scaffolding and it’s the participants, the volunteers and the coaches that really make our programmes special.
“To win this award is great recognition for them, to highlight the really great work that they do.”
Harry Smith, player for our LDSL team, added: “It just shows that no matter what disability you have, anyone is able to play sports.”
We would like to say a massive thank you to Paralympics GB for giving us this opportunity, and to everyone who came along and made this celebration event a reality!
To find out more about our disability and inclusion programmes, please contact disability@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.