Leeds Rhinos Women secured a memorable 16-10 win over Castleford Tigers this weekend to claim the Women’s Challenge Cup for the second consecutive season.
The women’s game in Yorkshire is continuing to grow and more girls are being inspired to play the game than ever before. Eleven clubs who are part of the Leeds Rhinos Ambassador Club scheme now run a girls section, and 16 players who played for the Rhinos in the Coral Women’s Challenge Cup Final began their rugby league journey with these cliubs.
Lois Forsell, Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Women and Girls Development Officer and Leeds Rhinos Women’s club captain, said: “It was a very proud occasion to see so many local players represent the Rhinos in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final.
“The Women’s game is really strong at the moment and interest in the game is at an all time high, which showed on Saturday with a great crowds watching live at Bolton and via the BBC.
“To see players like Shannon Lacey, Fran Goldthorp and Chloe Kerrigan, who I’ve coached in schools and at their community clubs, lift the trophy on Saturday was really special and I hope they are inspiring the young girls who are watching them to go play the game.
“At Leeds Rhinos Foundation we work hard to support the game at grassroots level and it’s encouraging to see participation increasing in both clubs and schools. We’d like to take this opportunity to once again thank the volunteers within the community game who work tirelessly to support the young players in our city playing women & girls rugby league; we appreciate all the hours and commitment shown by many great individuals at our Ambassador clubs.”
Earlier this year the RFL launched a new campaign aiming to get 21,000 Women and Girls playing Rugby League by 2021. Nationally, the women’s game has already grown massively with the number of girls teams increasing by 35% and Women’s teams by 38% in 2018.
If you have been inspired by the Leeds Rhinos Women’s Rugby League team and would like to start playing Rugby League, take a look at the list below for details of local women’s and girls teams.
- West Leeds Girls and Ladies ARLFC – Contact Donna Tobbit on 07766556828 or donna_tobitt@hotmail.com
- Stanningley Girls and Ladies ARLFC – Contact Garry Sides on 07956887305 or garrysides195@msn.com>
- Oulton Raidettes Girls and Ladies ARLFC – Contact Ash Bond on 07584131197 or oultonraidetteash@hotmail.com>
- East Leeds Girls and Ladies ARLFC – Contact Glen Swailes on 07917674558 or glennswailes@googlemail.com
- Shaw Cross Sharks Girls ARLFC – Contact Bridgette Woods on bridgenmatty@live.co.uk
- Dewsbury Moor Girls ARLFC – Contact Claire Berry on 07870408152 or clamic1@hotmail.com
- Dewsbury Celtic Girls, ARLFC – Contact Adele Mack on 07912842776 or adelemack1@hotmail.co.uk
- South Leeds Spartans – contact Joanne Harrison-Lee on 07708116963 jo_ww@hotmail.co.uk
- Farnley Falcons – contact Jonny Adams on 07743900239 or jonny.adams@hotmail.co.uk
- Headingley Hawks – contact Ellis Pascall on ellis.pascall@leedsrhinosfoundation.org or 07807087797- Under 12s at 07919400509 and headingleyhawks@gmail.com
- Thornhill Trojans – contact Bethan Oates on bethanoatesx@hotmail.com
- Whinmoor Warriors – contact Amie Backhouse on 07716204394
- Garforth Tigers – contact Martin on 07908358170 secretary@garforthtigers.com
For more information on the work Leeds Rhinos Foundation do to support the growth of the women and girls’ game, contact lois.forsell@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.