A year has passed since Leeds Rugby Foundation launched its unique Rugby League Development Plan for Leeds.
And to celebrate the success of 2013 as well as looking ahead to the plans for 2014, a dinner was hosted at Headingley Carnegie Stadium for all the sponsors, donors and workers who have made it all possible.
The Development Plan, sponsored by Mears Group, was launched just over a year ago with the ambitious aim to give every youngster in Leeds the opportunity to play Rugby League and attend a Leeds Rhinos or Hunslet Hawks game. Heritage and Coach Education also feature heavily and the Foundation now has a staff of 12 full time Schools and Community Coaches, led by Leeds Rugby League Development Manager, Leon Crick.
Many of the ‘workers’ who deliver the projects within the RL Development Plan for Leeds, spoke about the specific projects that they have been involved in and the progress that has been made. One huge stride has been the increase in participation in Primary Schools which has seen the numbers of children taking part rise from 1,500 to over 5,500.
LRF’s Director of Operations, Bob Bowman then talked through the plans for 2014 and ahead, before LRF Trustee Jamie Jones-Buchanan gave yet another inspirational talk on how LRF has changed his life.
One of the many 2013 working recruits, Keith Senior, informed the audience on his day to day role of trying to engage and inspire youngsters through Rugby League as he once was, before the RFL’s Director of Participation and Partnerships, David Gent, spoke fondly of the LRF and commented that they are the bench mark for others to follow. You can hear what David Gent says below.
Leeds Rhinos CEO and Leeds Rugby Foundation Trustee, Gary Hetherington commented: “I would like to pay thanks to every funder and donor who has put their hard earned cash into this project and thank you to everyone who made Wednesday night a great success,” he said.
“2013 has been a good year and the night proved that we have made big strides forward in increasing not only the playing base, but the fan base of our wonderful game,” continued Hetherington.
“We are all confident that 2014 will be an even better year and we hope that many more funders and donors join us in our mission to make a real difference and help change more lives through sport.”
To hear what David Gent had to say along with the Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council, Judith Blake, watch the clip below.
If anyone would like to know more or get involved with Leeds Rugby Foundation’s Rugby League Development Plan for Leeds, they should contact Davide Longo on: Davide.Longo@Leedsrugbyfoundation.org