As part of the of the community club support within Leeds, an open fun day took place at the community club Hunslet Parkside on Friday 28th October.
The aim of the day was to recruit new players to the club from the surrounding area and to give existing players a treat as the Superleague Trophy, Ronnie Rhino and Harry the Hawk from Hunslet Hawks were in attendance.
Leeds Rugby Foundation Community Development Officer Sam Horner, Richard Tate Hunslet Parkside under 16s coach and Bradford Bulls Community Coach, Steve Parnell, Hunslet Hawks community coach along with the Yorkshire and Humberside branch of the TUC Union Learn were all on hand to support the day.
Rugby skills and small sided games were delivered to the young players at the start, a mascot race between Ronnie and Harry was cheered on by 65 plus attendees. The indoor activities supplied by Union Learn along with the refreshments made up the second part of the fun day. Pumpkin carving, glitter tattoos, decorating buns and face painting kept everybody busy.
Noella Mellad from Union Learn said "Union Learn is always happy to be part of these types of initiatives within the community that offer families the opportunities to engage with learning in a fun environment. Sharon Burke, the manager was instrumental to the funding of this and many other projects such as a fun day, recently at Harehills Pigeons JARLFC."
The coaching staff from Parkside one of them being Daryl commented, "Thanks today for the support of all the organisations as they have helped recruit players for our flagging junior section and we would also appreciate any media publicity to aid the low numbers within the teams". Richard Tate added, "This club has been here for more than 35 years and is very integral to the surrounding community of Bellisle, having many professional and internationals over the years, playing and helping with coaching".
Sam Horner, who specifically works with the community clubs and has see at first hand the great work that Colin Cooper, Chairman and founder member of the club has achieved, in fact given his life to the young rugby players of this area said, "The history and legacy of this club says it for itself when you look at the likes of James Lowes, Chev Walker, Jason Robinson, Garry Schofield, current first team Leeds Rhinos squad member Paul McShane and many more players who have graced the playing fields of this great club."
The day was a huge success and more of these types of events are planned for the near future.
If you are interested in playing for Hunslet Parkside and want more information please contact Colin Cooper; Email bigcooper73@hotmail.com Mob: 0752702441
Web: www.pitchero.com/clubs/hunsletparkside