Around 300 people gathered at the sixth annual ‘City of Leeds Rugby League Celebration Dinner’, held in the Long Bar at Headingley Carnegie Stadium last night. All sectors of the game throughout the city were represented, with the climax the announcement of the winner of the John Holmes Award.
Around 300 people gathered at the sixth annual ‘City of Leeds Rugby League Celebration Dinner’, held in the Long Bar at Headingley Carnegie Stadium last night.
All sectors of the game throughout the city were represented, with the climax the announcement of the winner of the John Holmes Award.
The recipient was Steve Boothroyd, who has devoted a lifetime of service to Schools Rugby League.
The recently retired head teacher has worked at all levels, as coach, international referee and administrator and been both treasurer and chairman of the English Schools Rugby League.
The award was presented by Phil Holmes, John’s brother, who also announced plans for the erection of a statue to John at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.
“Unbelievably, it is five years since John passed away,” Phil said. “After discussions between the club and the family, it has been agreed that the process will start to raise funds to erect a bronze statue at the ground for a player who epitomised everything Leeds rugby is about.”
“Further details will be announced but it will be terrific and iconic to see John gazing out over his beloved Kirkstall again from the place that meant everything to him.”
John’s wife Karen added: “Everybody tells me how much John meant to the club and its fans and that he was an inspiration to so many. Hopefully by having this statue erected, we can all gather together again in his memory.”
Also at the dinner, the Tetley’s Challenge Cup – won by the Rhinos at Wembley last month – was reunited with a winner’s medal from the very first time the competition was played in 1897, with the final held at Headingley.
F.Fisher’s loaned solid gold memento was won as part of Batley’s ‘gallant youths’ pack who beat St Helens 10-3 and was the centrepiece of a Leeds Rugby Foundation heritage display.