Leeds Rhinos will be marking St Patrick’s Day by holding their annual Irish themed game on Thursday 10th March when they host Hull FC in the Betfred Super League at Headingley Stadium.
The match will kick off a long weekend of St Patrick’s Day celebrations throughout the city, with the club and Leeds Rhinos Foundation working together to stage a variety of Irish entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
Fans can look forward to live music by traditional Irish folk musicians from the Leeds Irish Centre, performances by dancers from Helen Rowland Academy of Irish Dancing and a half time Irish flag parade representing all 32 Counties of Ireland around the Headingley pitch.
The celebrations will then continue into the weekend, culminating in the blockbuster 2022 Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade taking place on Sunday 13th March.
Leeds Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington said he was delighted that the club could once again pay tribute to the local Irish community and join in the celebrations with a special theme night, which was first introduced more than 10 years ago.
He said: “We’ve been keen to hold an Irish themed game and join in with the St Patrick’s Day celebrations for many years now and it’s a big part of the city that we want to recognise and throw our support behind.”
“The St Patrick’s Day parade which takes place in the city centre is a terrific event and it’s something I always look forward to attending every year along with my Mother.
“There’s set to be plenty of activities for supporters of all ages to enjoy on the night and for the Rhinos to be associated with these types of community-led festivities is what we’re all about.”
Sam Horner, who leads the community matchday activities for Leeds Rhinos Foundation, added: “The connection with the St Patrick’s Day Parade here at Leeds Rhinos has been going for more than a decade now and we’ve actually been along and walked it many a time.
“They’re great people who are extremely proud of their culture and heritage and we’re delighted to use this matchday to celebrate the connections we have, as there are a lot of Leeds Rhinos fans who are from the Irish community in Leeds.”
Unfortunately due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic the 2020 Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled and in 2021, it was staged as a virtual parade. Thankfully this this year it will be able to return in its full glory, bringing together the entire community to celebrate all things Irish right in the heart of the city.
The parade will be led by Councillor Asghar Khan, Lord Mayor of Leeds, with people asked to join the party from 10:30am in Millenium Square when a variety of colourful floats, bands, walking displays, and representatives from Irish organisations, schools, clubs and societies from across Leeds will make their way down Cookridge Street and through Leeds City Centre.
Traditional Irish Dancers and Musicians, live artists and lively music will entertain the crowds on stage until 4.00pm and celebrate their Irish culture heritage. There will also be refreshments and stalls too, and not forgetting a bar to raise a celebratory pint of Guinness.
Tickets for Thursday night’s game are available by calling the Leeds Rhinos ticket office on 0371 423 1315. Phone lines are open from 10.30am – 3.30pm (Monday – Friday excluding Bank Holidays. Phone lines on match day open at the same time as the Ticket Office). Please note the Ticket Office at Headingley Stadium remains closed.
Alternatively, supporters can also buy online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk up to 30 minutes before kick off and tickets will be sent to your email address to use on your smartphone at the turnstiles.
To find out more about the 2022 Leeds St Patricks’ Day Parade, please visit https://leedsstpatricksparade.co.uk/.