Earlier this season, Leeds Rhinos Foundation invited families working with the Wilberforce Trust to attend a Rhinos game and enjoy the hospitality in the charity’s Community Hub in the South Stand.
The Wilberforce Trust has been supporting people with visual impairments since 1833 and are now committed to supporting people with sight loss and hearing loss.
At the Rhinos’ home match with Catalans Dragons earlier in the season, the Trust brought two families to the game and two children who have visual impairment enjoyed their first ever Rhinos game. The children enjoyed the chance to meet Ronnie the Rhino and go pitch-side to touch the famous Emerald Headingley turf and take in the pre-match atmosphere.
The feedback received by the parents was incredibly positive, saying that: “Sophie absolutely loved it, singing and clapping along to the songs while she was given a running commentary of what was happening on the pitch. The access we were allowed and given was brilliant.”
Laura Buckle, Health Improvement Officer for Leeds Rhinos Foundation, said: “It was lovely to have the children from Wilberforce Trust visit Emerald Headingley. Although it was their first game they really enjoyed the experience and meeting Ronnie brought a big smile to their faces and I think we now have some new lifelong Rhinos fans.”
Leeds Rhinos Foundation welcomes different community groups to experience a live Leeds Rhinos match and enjoy the facilities in the Community Hub, located on the second floor of the new South Stand. This season, Leeds Rhinos Foundation has hosted the Children’s Cancer Charity, Leeds Mencap and St John’s School for the Deaf, alongside the groups that the charity work with on their Try Club, Back Onside and Active Beyond Cancer projects.
Buckle added: “The Community Hub has been a great resource for us this year, not only are we able to utilise it during the week with our health and education projects but have also been able to invite other organisations to games so people who may have additional needs can still enjoy the matches and have an intimate space to visit before the game.”
For more information about our Community Hub or how to give your group the Rhinos matchday experience, contact laura.buckle@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.
