Leeds Rhinos stars Rob Burrow and Danny Maguire got some practice ahead of the annual Children’s Day – taking on kids in two sports day races.
The stars joined mascots and pupils from New Wortley Holy Family RC Primary School at Headingley ahead of the revived event on July 22.
Rob and Danny bravely took part in a sack race and an egg and spoon race with the Year 5 pupils, who were also entertained by Ronnie the Rhino, Lucas the Kop Cat, Max the Mynah and Terry the Terrier.
Children’s Day in Leeds was revived in 2008 in memory of rugby fan Garry Chappelow, who used to attend the popular events as a child in the 1960s.
The free family day out, at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, has grown bigger and better over the last five years, with highlights set to include a rugby match between Leeds Rhinos and the Emmerdale cast.
Rob Burrow said: “This is a great opportunity for the local community to come together for a great day out.
“Being a new dad myself, I understand how important it is that children have opportunities like this and the Rhinos are all looking forward to being part of this day and showing the Emmerdale cast a thing or two on the rugby pitch.”
Activities on the day will include a bouncy castle, face painters, a traditional school sports day, dance sessions, wheelchair rugby, zoo animals, sports sessions, police horses, fire engines and stadium tours.
Celebrity chef Brian Turner MBE will deliver cooking demonstrations throughout the day, with the all-star rugby match due to take place at 3pm.
Yorkshireman Brian said: “I know what a special occasion this has been traditionally and it’s great to see it being resurrected to its former glory.”
Children’s Day takes place on the same day as Party in the Park at Temple Newsam – but Leeds Rugby Foundation’s chief executive Lucy Young urged families who didn’t get tickets in the online ballot to head to their event instead.
She added: “We want to give the people of Yorkshire a really special day out that they will remember for years to come.”
The free event is being delivered by Leeds Rugby Foundation, Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and the Garry Chappelow Memorial Fund, in partnership with Yorkshire Bank, West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council.