All News

Foundation reflect on success of 2023

Posted on by Annie Blackburn
30
Dec

As 2023 draws to a close, we are taking a look back on some of the highlights from across the Foundation.

Here are just a few of the ways in which the Foundation have used the power of sport to change lives over the past 12 months.

January

The year started off strong, with the launch of our Rugby League Development Plan for the next 5 years.

The charity’s Rugby League Development Plan was initially launched in 2012 with a vision to support the community game, improve standards, create opportunities for people to get involved in the sport as well as celebrating the heritage of the game.

Areas include coach development and education, player retention, improving standards and environments, growing the girls game and creating a game for all.

February

Following on from the launch of our Rugby League Development plan in January, February Half Term saw hundreds of young, aspiring players, from both Oldham and Leeds, engaging with our programmes.

  • 275 boys and girls attending our Rhinos Talent Pathway in Leeds
  • 55 boys attending our Rhinos Talent Pathway in Oldham
  • 26 boys and girls attending Talent Transfer sessions in Leeds
  • 34 boys and girls attended our Leeds City College Development Academy Open Sessions
  • 150 players attending Primary Mini Camps in Leeds
  • 25 coaches attended our Transition Coaching Workshop
  • 37 new junior Match Officials through Ref With The Rhinos

March

In March, our Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair team kicked off their season with an outstanding win on the road against Warrington Wolves, seeing their season start with an 118-12 win.

April

During the Easter holiday’s over 150 children joined us for our multi-sport camps.

Through funding from the likes of the Local Ward Councillors and the James Milner Foundation, we were able to give children around Leeds, the opportunity to have fun, whilst keeping active and making new friends away from their school environments.

May

May was a very busy month here at the Foundation, with staff members taking part in the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and our annual trip to Butlins for Rhinos Challenge.

The annual Rhinos Challenge events took place over two weekends in May. They were both huge successes with 280 Rugby League and 103 Netball teams competing and over 1,250 matches taking place.

Whilst some staff took to the pitches in Skegness, back in Leeds, a number of people from the Foundation tackled the first ever Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, a huge achievement for all involved.

June

The beginning of June saw players from both our Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League and Physical Disability Rugby League team take to Newcastle for the annual Magic Weekend.

Magic Weekend is one of the biggest dates in the Super League calendar and to have representation from our PDRL and LDSL teams there, showed how inclusive our sport really is.

Also taking place in June, members from our community put on their running trainers to take part in the Run for All Leeds 10k as part of our Run with the Rhinos team. Everyone did their part to raise vital funds for our Foundation, whilst achieving their own personal goals.

July

July saw one of the biggest days in the Rugby League calendar, as the University of Hull hosted a Central Inclusion festival, featuring three variations of the disability and inclusive game.

As part of this, our LDSL team took centre stage on the hallowed turf of AMT Headingley Stadium, playing in front of thousands of Rhinos fans.

August

Following a qualifying Festival at Hull University’s Allam Sport Centre, the Rhinos wheelchair team finished joint top of the table with Catalans Dragons, to set up a repeat of last year’s Challenge Cup Final.

The Dragons had been beaten by Leeds in last year’s Final in Hull, but they ended the Rhinos’ four-year grip on the Cup by running in 12 tries in a sparkling performance.

September

Despite their loss in the Challenge Cup Final the previous month, in September our Wheelchair team were announced as the 2023 League Leaders for the fourth year running.

Also in September, the Foundation launched our Parkinson’s Physical Activity Sessions, in partnership with Parkinson’s UK.

We now host weekly meetings at AMT Headingley Stadium for people to improve and maintain their physical activity levels through accessible, fun and engaging rugby themed sessions.

To find out more about the programme, CLICK HERE.

October

The Wheelchair Grand Final went down to the wire in October, but it was Wigan Warriors who pulled off a 50-42 win against the Rhinos.

Despite the final scores, Rhinos star Josh Butler was awarded Young Player of the Season at the Super League awards, for his commitment to the team and personal improvement both on and off the pitch.

November

On the 23rd November, more than 250 people took to the stands of AMT Headingley Stadium to brave the cold in aid of three Leeds based charities, for the annual Leeds Big Sleep.

Organised by Leeds Rhinos Foundation, St Gemma’s Hospice and St George’s Crypt, the seventh annual sleepout was a huge success, with players and staff from the Leeds Rhinos coming together to join dozens of supporters and volunteers to raise vital funds and help tackle the issue of homelessness.

December

This year has ended on a positive for all associated with the Foundation, after receiving two accolades based on the past 12 months.

Firstly, we were awarded the Everybody Moves Club of the Year award. Throughout 2023, they have been shining a light on some of the best inclusive opportunities to get active across the UK, and we are extremely proud to have been recognised for our commitment to the disability and inclusion game.

The Foundation were also recognised at the club wide Christmas dinner, after being awarded the Department of the Year award.

We are extremely proud of everything the Foundation and all of those associated with the Charity have achieved in 2023.

Whilst this is only a handful of those achievements, we cannot wait to continue providing unique opportunities to truly change lives through the power of sport in 2024.

X