Leeds Rugby Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Davide Longo as General Manager.
Davide, steps up from Partnership Manager to take up the role of General Manager which will see the 38-year-old manage all aspects of the new Traded Services project as well as the Foundations fleet of 23 staff members.
Davide will, however continue to build relationships with community businesses in Leeds and the wider region within LRF's three sectors of Sport, Health and Education in order to help fund these ever-growing sectors.
Leeds Rugby Foundation is Leeds Rhinos official charity that delivers projects in the heart of the community, harnessing the power of sport to make a lasting, positive impact on individuals' lives.
Davide, a former Dewsbury, Bradford, Swinton, Keighley and Batley Rugby League professional made the switch to the Leeds Rugby Foundation over 8 months ago, after previously holding the role of General Manager at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
Davide commented: "I am thrilled to have been appointed General Manager,
"I feel I have a great deal of experience gathered over the years and hopefully I can count on that experience here at the Foundation.
"The Foundation does some fantastic work throughout Leeds and I am looking forward to being a part of that, helping to change many more lives."
Director of Operations Bob Bowman said: “I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Davide as our General Manager. In his brief time with the Foundation he already proven to be an effective and professional member of the senior management team. As the Foundation grows in both size and community impact his role will be a crucial part of our future success.”
Despite the current financial climate, the last year has seen huge growth in Leeds Rugby Foundation, its staff members and projects.
One of those new projects is the Traded Services iniative which will see 40 schools in the city given partner school status within by September.
Traded services is a new programme, as part of the Rugby League Development Plan for Leeds, sponsored by Mears, set up by the Foundation that will work within the Primary clusters across the Leeds and district area allowing for increased and sustained PE provision
Leeds Rugby Foundation Partner schools will receive a varied menu of physical activity and be assigned their own LRF Development Officer, building a working relationship with the school and providing positive activities for the children.
This scheme will enable the Foundation to integrate the Rhinos brand including players and other resources into daily school life whilst supporting the PE curriculum and other aspects of the new curriculum.
Davide, continued: "Partner school's is a new Foundation initiative that will allow us to increase our contact time with children and offer high quality provision in schools."
"Changing lives through sport is our mantra, and this scheme will mean that our work will have more impact and measurable outcomes in terms of the exit strategy into existing local community clubs."
"The foundation works at a very local level with children and families from diverse backgrounds and this scheme will ensure our work will benefit not just the schools but the communities they live in."
You can contact Davide Longo on: Davide.Longo@leedsrugbyfoundation.org