Leeds Rhinos Foundation are delighted to announce the appointment of Gareth Cook as Community Manager, strengthening the senior management team.
Gareth comes with a wealth of knowledge in the sports charity sector with over 11 years’ experience along with a background of working with the Leeds Rhinos official charity previously, having spent over six years at the club from 2005 to 2011.
Starting out with the Leeds Tykes and Leeds Carnegie under the charity’s previous name Leeds Rugby Foundation, Gareth was responsible for delivering the Powergen Programme before moving on to work with the Rhinos Community team as a Rugby Development Officer.
Gareth followed his time at the Rhinos by spending the last four years working within the Foundation at Club Doncaster, a charity consisting of Doncaster Rovers and Doncaster Rugby League delivering programmes under the areas of Sport, Health and Education and also General Manager at neighbours Bradford Bulls Foundation.
With a wealth of experience delivering projects in the school setting using the power of sport to inspire and enrich children along with a background in upskilling staff members, Gareth will oversee the current team of Partner Schools Officers at the Foundation in his new role as Community Manager starting in January.
General Manager for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Davide Longo said:
"I'm delighted to welcome Gareth to the Leeds Rhinos Foundation. His wealth of experience within school settings will complement our existing school provision. We are ambitious as a charity, understand our city and want to impact on some of the key challenges that people face on a daily basis. Gareth's role is integral within the Foundation as a large amount of our work is directed towards children and young people."
Speaking about the role Gareth commented:
“I am delighted to be coming home to Leeds Rhinos, it is a club I supported from the age of 6 years old and a wonderful club to be a part of with the community at its heart. I have gained experience over the last 5 years within other charities and sports and the opportunity to return to the Rhinos and share that learning is one of huge excitement.
“Davide Longo has discussed where and how he would like to grow the Foundation and I believe 100% in the trustee’s vision and can’t wait to join the team in the New Year. The Foundation has a superb team of experienced staff and together I think we can all deliver on the charity objectives of utilising sport for positive change.”