Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Winter Indoor Touch programme is showcasing the impact of the charity’s Rugby League Development Plan, sponsored by Mears, by improving player development and increasing the appeal of Rugby League at the junior level.
The programme is key to the charity’s Rugby League Development Plan, which was created in 2013, to help improve standards, attract new fans and progress players and has this year provided 11 festivals for the under 7 to under 11s at Football World Leeds.
Mears, who are a national company who work in partnership with social housing clients, to maintain, repair and upgrade the homes, have been long term supporters of the charity’s work to develop the game in Leeds.
Their support of Leeds Rhinos Foundation ensures the charity’s staff can go out into schools and deliver coaching sessions with primary school children and encourage them to be active and continue to play rugby league.
Speaking at a recent festival for Under-7s players, Business Improvement Manager for Mears, Mark Hemingway, said:
“It’s good to come and see how our funding is helping support the game and getting coaches from Leeds Rhinos Foundation into schools to get kids interested in rugby and some of them are here with their clubs today.
Club Development Officer for Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Sam Horner said:
“10 years now the Indoor Touch Rugby Festivals has been a great programme for us, it keeps the kids engaged but also upskills the players within the programme.
“The biggest thing for me is the difference you from the young kids from when they start the programme to the end, you see the improvement in skill level, they are looking at special awareness, support play and playing with the ball in two hands with their heads up, throwing the ball around and having fun as part of a team," added Horner.
Leeds Rhinos star and former Australian international, Keith Galloway also gave his support at the Indoor Touch session and believes the concept will benefit future players.
“Touch football is huge in Australia, a lot of players come through the ranks playing it over there and go on to play NRL,” said Galloway.
“Hopefully it kicks off big here and continues to gain interest through programmes like this starting with the youngest age groups, because it’s a great way for the young kids to learn those key rugby skills.”
Watch highlights of the recent Under 7 festival below: