Leeds Rhinos Foundation Women and Girls Development Officer Lois Forsell was joined by four local under 14s girls rugby clubs at Leeds Sports Centre for the first ever Girls Indoor Touch Rugby Festival last week as the popular off season development platform takes off for girls junior rugby clubs in Leeds.
The tournaments supported by Sky Try Rugby League under the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Rugby League Development plan are running for girls rugby clubs over the winter break to keep the players motivated during the off-season and give them the opportunity to play indoors whilst the weather is too poor to train and play outside.
The tournaments have been organised on the back of the success of the junior boys indoor tournaments that have taken place at the Leeds Sports Centre facility over the past 7 years for the under 7-11s age groups which regularly see over 80 players taking part from Ambassador Clubs across Leeds.
The indoor touch platform has been recognised by community clubs for the rugby development appeal and application to full sided rugby played during the summer; working on fitness levels, enjoyment and intangible rugby league skills such as ball control, passing and executing skills in close quarters and under fatigue.
Players from West Leeds, Shawcross Sharks, who entered two teams, Dewsbury Moor and Oulton Raidettes took part in the first tournament which will also run for the under 16s age group on the 30th January.
Dewsbury Moor Girls under 14s came out on top, leading the standings ahead of Shawcross Sharks A in 2nd place and West Leeds in third on the day.
Lois Forsell commented:
"It’s been a fantastic start to the indoor tournaments for our girl’s ambassador clubs.”
“To have four clubs down for this first tournament is really encouraging and hopefully more clubs can get involved in the future.
“Girls Rugby is continuing to grow in the city with 13 clubs now in partnership with us, all working hard to grow the sport and increase participation at grassroots level and platforms that allow more competition like this will hopefully continue to encourage more girls to get involved.”
The next indoor tournament for girls rugby clubs will the the under 16s tournament on the 3oth January.
For more details contact Lois.Forsell@leedsrugby.com