Leeds Rhinos Foundation has now opened registrations for any players interested in taking part in the Under 14’s, 15’s, 16’s, 17’s and 18’s North vs South Player Development Series this summer.
In 2022, the official charity of Leeds Rhinos, in partnership with Hunslet RLFC, launched the pioneering Rugby League development programme for players not connected to a professional club scholarship or academy, who are looking to take their next steps towards furthering their rugby league careers and showcasing their talents.
The series will provide player development opportunities to local players participating in community or school rugby across the city, splitting into two teams representing the age old rivalry of the North/South Leeds divide in relation to the River Aire.
Over the years, we have seen a number of players from the programme progress up the player pathway including the England Community Lions, Leeds Rhinos Scholarship and Leeds Rhinos Development Academy in partnership with Leeds City College.
This exciting six-week development programme will be fully aligned to the Rhinos Talent Pathway with opportunities for progression, providing a unique chance for the stars of tomorrow to experience training in a professional environment and play two competitive fixtures in top class venues.
Under 16’s, 17’s and 18’s players also have the extra incentive of working towards representation of Leeds in their retrospective age group with a autumn representative series against Wakefield Trinity.
North will train on Wednesday nights at Bartercard Training Complex, Kirkstall.
South will train on Thursday nights at South Leeds Stadium.
Launch Nights:
- 14th July @ Leeds Beckett University (Under 14s and 15’s)
- 21st July @ Leeds Beckett University (Under 16’s, 17’s and 18’s)
North Training @ Kirkstall Training Ground:
- Wednesday 16th July
- Wednesday 23rd July
- Wednesday 30th July
- Wednesday 6th August
- Wednesday 13th August
- Wednesday 20th August
- Wednesday 27th August
South Training @ South Leeds Stadium:
- Thursday 17th July
- Thursday 24th July
- Thursday 31st July
- Thursday 7th August
- Thursday14th August
- Thursday 21st August
- Thursday 28th August
Fixtures:
- Saturday 16th August @ South Leeds Stadium
- Wednesday 27th August @ AMT Headingley Stadium
- Thursday 28th August @ AMT Headingley Stadium
REGISTRATION PROCESS
The following criteria must be met for any players wishing to enroll on the North vs South Player Development Series for 2025:
- Under 14s – Year 9 students
- Under 15s – Year 10 students
- Under 16s – Year 11 students
- Under 17s – Year 12 students
- Under 18s – Year 13 students
- All players must have a Leeds home postcode or be registered with a Leeds-based community club
- Players must not currently be on Scholarship or Academy terms with a professional club
Teams will be provided with a North Leeds or South Leeds playing shirt, with players wearing their club or school team’s shorts and socks ‘barbarian style’ to celebrate the community game.
To register, please CLICK HERE.
Please note, a nonrefundable registration donation of £20 is required to book onto the programme. This cost includes a match day polo and running costs towards the programme.
In circumstances where people are unable to afford this cost please email darren.higgins@leedsrhinosfundation.org and this will be supported confidentially.
Players of under 14’s age group who are offered a place on a scholarship programme will not be able to participate in the North v South Development programme. In instances of players registering on the programme and then being offered a scholarship place then a refund will be provided. This is the only instance when deposit refunds will be made.
Please note players are still able to participate in the programme if family holidays are booked within the dates outlined.
Registrations close on Tuesday 24th June.
For more information or any other questions you may have about the North vs South Player Development Series, please contact Darren.higgins@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.