Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Learning Disability Super League team will be back in action on Sunday as they head to York St John University’s Haxby Road Sports Park for a huge Finals Day event.
The festival – taking place from 11am to 3pm – will be the final event of the year in the LD Super League, and is set to bring together a record number of teams and players in a celebration of Learning Disability Rugby League, which has enjoying a hugely successful return after the coronavirus pandemic.
For this year a new festival-based format has been brought in by Super League, RFL and Community Integrated Care and allows players from multiple clubs situated across the North of England to take part in a series of high intensity, fun fixtures against other clubs from throughout the competition.
Ahead of the final festival, there was also a unique opportunity for Leeds Rhinos LDSL co-captain Declan Jenkinson to take part in a special press conference organised by the RFL, which was hosted by RLWC2021 Ambassador Jodie Cunningham and Community Integrated Care’s CEO John Hughes.
Declan spoke about how the LDSL competition has helped him to gain confidence and make positive life changes, as well as his pride in representing the Rhinos and the motivation he gains from the inspirational Rob Burrow, his rugby league hero.
As a community-based game, LDSL has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with the focus shifting onto skill development, increasing confidence and creating positive experiences for all involved.
After a year out due to the ongoing pandemic, LDSL returned in April, with the Rhinos team already playing in local festivals hosted by Castleford and Wakefield earlier this year.
If anyone would like to get involved in our Leeds Rhinos LDSL team and attend training sessions at Kirkstall, please email ben.berry@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.
-
LDSL Finals Day Festival, York St John’s University, Haxby Road, Sunday, 26th September 2021, 11am-3pm.