Girls teams from Leeds community clubs were out in support for Leeds Rhinos Women in their first ever Super League game at Emerald Headingley.
Teams from East Leeds, West Leeds, Oulton Raidettes, Headingley Hawks, South Leeds Spartans and Dewsbury Moor attended the game to see Leeds Rhinos Women move to second in the league as they beat local rivals Castleford Tigers.
The Women's team, which includes many players who have played for local community clubs, are inspiring the next generation of players with their superb start to the Women's Super League, whilst Leeds Rhinos Foundation is helping to create more opportunities than ever before for girls and women to get involved in Rugby League.
Dannielle Anderson, who played for Oulton Raidettes, before making her Super League debut with the Rhinos this year is encouraging girls to give Rugby League a try.
"I am really enjoying playing for the Rhinos," said Anderson. "To play at Emerald Headingley in front of a crowd of over 1,000 was incredible and we are grateful to all those who showed up to give us their support. What was really pleasing was to see so many girls teams involved in the pre-match festivals and then cheering us on afterwards in our first home game.
"Rugby League is a great sport to be involved in and I loved playing for Oulton and learned so much there and now to have the opportunity to play in Super League is a dream come true. I hope we are showing girls that Rugby League is a sport they can get involved in and that our team, and Leeds Rhinos Foundation, are helping to break down barriers that may have previously prevented people playing the game."
Leeds Rhinos Foundation is supporting the launch of a new weekly rugby session at Drighlington on 30th May and this will be followed by a skills session at Oulton and a taster session at West Leeds.
– Wednesday 30th May – Drighlington ARLFC (Weekly Rugby Sessions)
– Thursday 31st May – Oulton Raiders (Skills Development Session)
– Wednesday 20th June – West Leeds (Taster Session)
Contact Lois Forsell for more information Lois.Forsell@leedsrhinosfoundation.org or call 07966 753 746
Details of the city's women and girls teams are below:
– West Leeds Girls and Ladies ARLFC- Contact Donna Tobbit 07766556828 or donna_tobitt@hotmail.com
– Stanningley Girls and Ladies ARLFC- Contact Garry Sides 07956887305 or garrysides195@msn.com>
– Oulton Raidettes Girls and Ladies ARLFC – Contact Ash Bond07584131197 or oultonraidetteash@hotmail.com>
– East Leeds Girls and Ladies ARLFC- Contact Dean Gledhill 07789113515 or deangledhill@hotmail.co.uk
– Shawcross Sharks Girls ARLFC- Contact Bridgette Woods on bridgenmatty@live.co.uk
– Dewsbury Moor Girls ARLFC- Contact Shane Hussain 07519660049 or shanehussain@hotmail.co.uk
– Dewsbury Celtic Girls ARLFC- Contact Adele Mack 07912842776 or adelemack1@hotmail.co.uk
– South Leeds Spartans contact Joanne Harrison-Lee on jo_ww@hotmail.co.uk or 07708116963
– Farnley Falcons contact Jonny Adams on jonny.adams@hotmail.co.uk or 07743900239
– Headingley Hawks contact Ellis Pascall on ellis.pascall@leedsrhinosfoundation.org or 07807087797
(Under 12s at 07919400509 and headingleyhawks@gmail.com)