Leeds Rhinos Foundation ran a Rhinos Challenge event for girls players in the under 12s and 14s age group over the weekend with eight teams from the North of England taking part
Club teams from East Leeds, Dewsbury Moor, Shawcross Sharks, Hunslet Warriors, Whitley Bay Barbarians, Oulton Raidettes, West Leeds and St Helens turned out for the tournament which offered girls the chance to take part in a festival of rugby and the chance to play against some teams from different regions.
In the under 12s competition, it was Dewsbury Moor who took home the Rhinos Challenge trophy on points difference ahead of Lancashire based St Helens and Whitley Bay Barbarians from Northumberland in third place, followed up by East Leeds in fourth.
The under 14s age group, which was split into two groups of four teams, was dominated by Shawcross Sharks who won both group stages and decided not to play of against each other in an overall final, but accept the award on behalf of the whole club.
Although unable to secure team victories on the day, it was St Helens who dominated the player of the tournament awards voted for by match officials, clinching the award for both age groups with Niamh Hough winning the under 14s award and Alice Rush taking home the under 12s award after two very strong performances during the day.
Along with pitch managers from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, the tournament also provided further opportunity for young referees to develop into the game with junior referees Ryan Kitchen, Caitlin Beevers, Natu Girmay, Lee Wooley & Dean Urch all officiating matches at the event.
To cap off a memorable day for the teams, girls from Shawcross Sharks, Hunslet Warriors, Whitley Bay, West Leeds, East Leeds & Oulton Raidettes were also able to attend the Leeds Rhinos fixture against Widnes Vikings taking part in a half time pitch parade at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.
Tournament organiser Lois Forsell commented:
"It's been another fantastic Rhinos Challenge event for the girls today in our second year of running the tournament. Despite places being available to girls at the Rhinos Challenge event in Skegness during May, due to the popularity of the event places sold out quickly, so being able to offer a smaller competition for the girls to play off against each other was a good opportunity and it was pleasing to see such a good turnout.
"Hopefully taking part today has given the girls and their parents and clubs the motivation to get booked up on Rhinos Challenge in May next year to sample the full tour experience where they will hopefully get a chance to play some more teams from across the country and test themselves even further, which is great for the development of the girls game.
"With six clubs from the West Yorkshire region taking part it was particularly pleasing to see so many girls who have come through the school system playing for their local clubs and enjoying their rugby."
Final Standings:
Under 12s
1st Dewsbury Moor
2nd St Helens
3rd Whitley Bay
4th East Leeds
Under 14s
Group A
1st – Shawcross Sharks A
2nd – East Leeds
3rd – Oulton Raidettes
4th – Whitley Bay
Group B
1st – Shawcross Sharks B
2nd – St Helens
Joint 3rd – West Leeds Eagles & Hunslet Warriors
If your girls team is interested in taking part in the full Rhinos Challenge experience next May visit http://rhinoschallenge.co.uk/