Leading UK dance company Northern Ballet, and Leeds Rhinos Foundation have joined forces to champion sport and culture in Leeds.
From 2018, Leeds Rhinos Foundation, who are the official charity of the 2017 Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos, and Northern Ballet will work in partnership on joint initiatives to create more opportunities for children, young people and families within the city’s most deprived communities to experience and engage with world-class sport and culture.
Northern Ballet and Leeds Rhinos Foundation already invest heavily in community projects. By sharing knowledge, resources and expertise the two organisations will aspire to reach people who may have little or no exposure to sport and dance.
Details of the exciting new projects will be unveiled in the New Year but will include working in schools, working with some of the city’s most deprived families, offering grassroots opportunities for young people and working with people with disabilities. Both organisations hope to inspire, surprise and enthuse more children, young people and families than ever before; creating opportunities, regardless of ability or background, to experience sport and culture, get active and make positive lifestyle changes.
Bob Bowman, Chief Operating Officer of Leeds Rhinos Foundation, said: “The Arts is one of the five banners Leeds Rhinos Foundation work under, so to be able to team up with a leading organisation like Northern Ballet is an exciting development for our charity and will further enhance the work and sports coaching we currently deliver in schools across Leeds.”
David Nixon OBE, Artistic Director of Northern Ballet, said: “Both Northern Ballet and Leeds Rhinos Foundation are committed to creating opportunities for people from all walks of life to experience dance and sport. Although in some ways rugby and ballet could not be more different, both disciplines require dedication, stamina, team work and commitment. By working in partnership, we can create more opportunities through outreach work to engage with each other’s audiences, allowing more people to participate in and watch live sport and ballet.”