Tonight is the first-ever Leeds Rhinos Foundation takeover game which will see the club’s official charity running activities across the stadium throughout the evening, along with the premier of its new video which is narrated by Lindsey Burrow.
During the pre-match entertainment, dancers from the Rhinestones Dance Academy, which recently celebrated its 15th year, will be performing on the pitch. At half time there will be an LDSL showcase match, with players from the Learning Disability team taking to the AMT Headingley pitch for the first time this season, following in the footsteps of their Rhinos heroes.
There will also be opportunities to meet staff from the charity to learn more about some of the free courses they run such as the Run with the Rhinos Running Club, ‘Reminisce’ Sporting Memories group, Weekly Touch and Pass, Rhinos Talent Pathway plus supporters can also pledge to their support by signing up to their fundraising events, the Rob Burrow Marathon or the Leeds 10K.
As always, we will also be welcoming children from the clubs and schools we work with to be part of the pre-match build up, forming the guard of honour for the teams as they run out plus there will be many community teams playing in the games at half time. AMT Headingley Stadium is also proud to have the Community Hub which each week is hosted by the Foundation and welcomes community groups such as Aspire CBS, St Gemma’s Bereavement Service and Parkinsons UK to fixtures across the season.
Fans will also be able to watch the new film ‘We’re All About Community’, which showcases the work the charity does. Filmed and produced by RAM Films over the last 12 months, the short film depicts the wide variety of projects offered by Leeds Rhinos Foundation from its work in health for people living with arthritis, dementia and parkinsons, to its delivery in developing the next generation of players. The emotive film stars some of the inspirational people who engage with the charity, including the inspirational players from the Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair, PDRL and LDSL teams.
Speaking about the film, Bob Bowman said: “Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s first-ever promotional video was created in 2015 and set an unbelievably high standard and helped tremendously in our growth and success of Changing Lives Through the Power of Sport. Our new video, created along with our partners at RAM Films, takes us to another level. It conveys the vast breadth and impact of our collaborative work in our city and beyond. I am most proud of the fact that all the footage is sourced from genuine delivery, nothing is ‘staged’.
“I would like to pay considerable thanks to all that have helped with the creation of this informative, inspiring and emotional video. But in particular, Jessica Bowman for writing the script, our Honorary Vice President Kevin Sinfield CBE and of course, we are absolutely honoured that Lindsey Burrow is the narrator. I hope you enjoy it!”