Women’s rugby league is one of the fastest growing sports in Leeds and Leeds Rhinos Foundation is helping to support the growth through its development work in schools and clubs.
Creating opportunities for girls to play and supporting community clubs in their recruitment and player development is a key part of the charity’s ‘Rugby League Development Plan’, which is supported by Mears.
Leeds now has more girls’ teams than ever before, and secondary schools are also seeing more success with Corpus Christi becoming the first team from Leeds to ever win the RFL's Champion's schools final.
The Leeds Rhinos Women’s team, who are currently top of the Women’s Super League, is an example of the strength of the women’s game in Leeds, with many of the squad coming from the city’s community clubs.
Second rower Chloe Kerrigan has been one of the success stories of the team. After winning selection for the Under-19s squad she earned a place in the first team squad and appeared in the winning Challenge Cup Final side.
“I had previously done a lot of swimming but then Leeds Rhinos Foundation did some training in my school and I really enjoyed it. Lois led the session and she made me want to become that type of rugby player and want to be a part of rugby.”
Following the session Chloe joined Oulton Raidettes and has gone on to represent England Colleges and says the chance to play for the club she supported growing up has been an unbelievable experience.
“I was lucky that my high school has a great set up for rugby league and I was really proud of their success in the Champions Schools Final this year. Oulton is a brilliant club to be involved in and I learned so much there and I would recommend for any girl who is interested in playing rugby to join their local club and be part of the rugby league family.
“It was a huge honour to be selected for the Rhinos Under-19s side and to represent my home town club. Matty Bullough who is the head coach of the 19s is doing a great job and taught me a great deal. To then get the call up to the first team and to play alongside Lois, who coached me in school, has been an incredible journey and I am loving every minute.”
Leeds Rhinos Foundation is running free taster sessions for girls in school years 6-11
East Leeds – Thursday 20th September
South Leeds Spartans – Monday 24th September
West Leeds – Wednesday 26th September
Farnley Falcons – Monday 1st October
Stanningley – Wednesday 3rd October
Headingley Hawks – Thursday 25th October
For more information email lois.forsell@leedsrhinosfoundation.org
Interested in joining a local club? Below are details of teams who run girls teams in Leeds:
– 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)