Leeds Rugby Foundation (LRF) have confirmed a list of events that will commemorate the 150th anniversary of rugby being played in the city. The programme is sponsored by specialist engineering company A. Taylor & Son who are celebrating a similar landmark.
Rugby has been integral to Leeds and its suburbs since Harry Jenkinson’s advert in the Leeds Mercury in March 1864 asked interested parties to meet on Woodhouse Moor.
To commemorate his foresight, the Heritage Committee of the Leeds Rugby Foundation are planning a series of events through 2014 that will recognise all sectors of the sport for their contribution, under the specially designed 'Leeds 150' logo (attached).
The scheduled events are as follows (attached):
MARCH
Sunday 16th ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE at CIVIC HALL
To recognise the contribution of the Irish to rugby in Leeds
Thursday 20th CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST at LIBRARY PUB, Woodhouse Moor
To commemorate the first gathering of players there in 1864 and the contribution of Leeds Grammar School
Saturday 29th CITY OF LEEDS REUNION LUNCH at HEADINGLEY CARNEGIE STADIUM
To celebrate the contribution of former players and officials of the city’s three professional clubs – Leeds, Hunslet and Bramley
APRIL
Tuesday 1st LEEDS CENTRAL LIBRARY EXHIBITION (until 20th April)
Display of 150 images of all facets of rugby across the 15 decades
Friday 4th Professor Tony Collins talk
‘The roots of rugby in Leeds’
Wednesday 9th Discussion panel with Sir Ian McGeechan, Harry Jepson OBE and Garry Schofield OBE
‘Memories of rugby in Leeds’
Tuesday 15th ‘Different Class’ Book event
The story of schools rugby league
Saturday 26th LEEDS CARNEGIE v. CORNISH PIRATES at Headingley Carnegie Stadium
1975 Yorkshire Cup Final Replay Reunion: Headingley vs Roundhay
MAY
Friday 2nd STUDENT RUGBY LEAGUE REUNION LUNCH & ADDRESS BY RAY FRENCH
To celebrate the birth of Student RL at Leeds University in 1967, Leeds Met vs. Leeds University Varsity game for the Cec Thompson Trophy and guests at Leeds Rhinos vs. Wigan Warriors
Saturday 3rd STUDENT OLD BOYS TAG FESTIVAL at KIRKSTALL GROUND
Saturday 3rd PLAYING THE JOKER at HEADINGLEY CARNEGIE STADIUM
Stage play celebrating Eddie Waring, rugby league and Yorkshire
JUNE
Thursday 19th 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at JOHN CHARLES STADIUM
Champagne breakfast to celebrate the 150th birthday of A. Taylor & Son; the first rugby game to be played in Leeds in 1864 and the city’s biggest-ever sporting event – the 1938 Championship Final at Elland Road between Hunslet and Leeds
JULY
Friday 4th RUGBY LEAGUE CARES DINNER
To commemorate the centenary of the historic 1914 Rorke’s Drift Test
Monday 14th DINNER at HEADINGLEY CARNEGIE STADIUM
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Rhinos’ first Grand Final win
TBC ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF RUGBY IN LEEDS DINNER at HEADINGLEY CARNEGIE STADIUM
Sunday 27th CHILDREN’S DAY at HEADINGLEY CARNEGIE STADIUM
AUGUST
Friday 1st SPORTING MEMORIES MATCH – LEEDS v BRADFORD
In support of dementia awareness
Saturday 2nd / Sunday 3rd LEEDS FLOWER SHOW 150th CELEBRATION
Sunday 24th LEEDS CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
To recognise the contribution of black and ethnic minority players
Sunday 31st DICK GIBSON AMBASSADOR FESTIVAL at KIRKSTALL
For junior teams across the city
SEPTEMBER
Thursday 11 / Friday 12 HERITAGE OPEN DAY & BRING AND SHOW EVENT at HEADINGLEY CARNEGIE STADIUM
Monday 15th LEEDS RHINOS AWARDS EVENING
To include the offi cial launch of the ‘Leeds Hall of Fame’, which will recognise outstanding service to the club from its formation in 1890
OCTOBER
TBC PROFESSOR TONY COLLINS LECTURE at Leeds University
On the History of Rugby in Leeds
NOVEMBER
Saturday 29th LEEDS MINSTER SERVICE
To commemorate all aspects of rugby in Leeds including the Leeds Parish Church club and those players lost in the World Wars
For more information on any of the events contact: Siobhan.Walpole@leedsrugbyfoundation.org