Leeds Rhinos Foundation in partnership with ESF events ran another successful Rhinos Challenge event at Butlins, Skegness on the weekend 12th-13th May.
Over two days, 174 teams competed in the festival, with 600 matches taking place and almost 2,000 children participating. This year's event also saw over 200 players from France attending, with players from Racing Club Aussillon Mazament and MJC Club X111 Carcassonne taking part alongside clubs from across the UK, including teams from Hull, Oldham and Colchester.
Rhinos captain Kallum Watkins was a guest at the event and he was joined by team mates Brett Ferres, Mitch Garbutt, Jamie Jones-Buchanan Carl Ablett, Brad Singleton and Joel Moon. The players visited the sites during the day and helped out with the presentations on Sunday.
@RugbyLeeds @RhinosChallenge Our U7s loved having a team photo with Joel Moon and Carl Ablett. Please retweet and help us win prizes for our youngsters! #RhinosChallenge2018 pic.twitter.com/JyNmqacosx
— Batley Boys ARLFC (@BatleyBoysArlfc) May 12, 2018
So many @leedsrhinos taking part in @RhinosChallenge again this year. JJB, Joel Moon, @carlablett12, @Rob7Burrow and @KallumWatkins have all been presenting medals for players this afternoon pic.twitter.com/tPJper4o4H
— Rhinos Foundation (@RugbyLeeds) May 13, 2018
Awards handed out at the presentation included the Fair Play Award which went to the Under-11s from West Hull and Under-8s from Blackbook Royals Under-8s, Waterhead Under-9s, Hull Wyke RL Under-12s, York Acorn Under-12s.
The @RhinosChallenge Fair Play award in the under 11s age group goes to @WestHullARLFC Well done to all involved pic.twitter.com/JioeHBng8p
— Rhinos Foundation (@RugbyLeeds) May 13, 2018
Man of Steel Awards were also handed out to players from each age group, the first going to Alfie Jackson from Featherstone Lions and others going to Charlie Jones from Eastern Rhinos, Ethan Holroyd Queensbury ARLFC, Hugo Colombier from Racing Club Aussillon Mazament, Connor Hill from Golborne Parkside
Well done to the youngest Man of Steel at this year’s @RhinosChallenge event Alfie Jackson from @LionsFev A star of the future for sure! pic.twitter.com/678aEgz8ss
— Rhinos Foundation (@RugbyLeeds) May 13, 2018
Once again the event received incredible feedback from the teams taking part
@RhinosChallenge thanks for a superb weekend 2nd year in a row!#normyknights #under9s #rhinoschallenge2018 ?? pic.twitter.com/kh4UPChEW9
— Katie Kirk (@KatieSheldon4) May 14, 2018
@RhinosChallenge wanted to thank you for such a great weekend. very impressed with the organisation and professionalism of everyone involved in the event. All the teams should be very proud of all the kids. Very respectful, well mannered & excellent representative for their clubs
— skirlaugh U7 (@SkirlaughU7) May 14, 2018
Incredible weekend at the @RhinosChallenge with @rugbyam me and my family loved it. It was great to meet so many kids, coaches and parents and see them all enjoying their rugby league #rugbyleaguefamily #memories ??????? pic.twitter.com/tRl0ZmXKqD
— Wayne Godwin (@Waggataurus) May 13, 2018
So the final night of @RhinosChallenge and these boys in our U8s and U9s have played some great rugby and behaved impeccably. A credit to the club, they’re already planning next years trip! Great sport, great people, great event!! #UpTheVikings ????? pic.twitter.com/XyUS6eEduC
— HoldernessVikingsYth (@HVikingsYouth) May 13, 2018
Absolutely loved it. A must for all junior teams. Wish we had something like this when I was a young lad! Get on board for next year! https://t.co/xguUTz21S8
— Rob Burrow (@Rob7Burrow) May 14, 2018