Come and try Wheelchair Rugby League with Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s free taster sessions

Leeds Rhinos Foundation is inviting people to come and give Wheelchair Rugby League a try by running two free taster sessions with our Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair team on Thursday 28th April and Thursday 5th May.

These ‘Come and Try’ Wheelchair Rugby League sessions are aimed at providing a fun introduction to the sport which can be played competitively or socially by absolutely everyone regardless if they are regular wheelchair users or non-regular wheelchair users.

The doors will be opened at Leeds Beckett University to anyone of any age and any ability, with Under 16s needing to be accompanied by an adult. Whether you are interested in playing, volunteering or supporting, or for those wanting to learn more about the game, all are welcome to attend and give the game a try in a very relaxed environment.

Wheelchair Rugby League is an adapted variation of the running game that allows athletes with disabilities to compete with and against able-bodied people and provides a unique opportunity where brothers, sisters, family friends, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, work colleagues, friends etc. can all play together on the same team and also compete against each other.

A fully inclusive sport, the sessions are aimed at supporting the growth of the sport in Leeds and hopefully continuing the growth of our Leeds Rhinos squad, which has developed over the years into one of the top sides in Wheelchair Rugby League with numerous international players.

Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair Player-Coach and RLWC2021 Ambassador James Simpson has urged people to come along and have a crack at the sport, which he believes is a great leveller and a great way for people to connect.

“We’re really excited to be running our first ‘Come and Try’ Wheelchair Rugby League sessions and we’re really hoping to see a lot of new faces there. It’s a totally inclusive sport and our team has a mixture of both male and female players, as well as disabled and able-bodied players, so it’s a great chance for anyone of any ability to come get involved in sport and have a play.

“You might have disabled family members or a friend in a Wheelchair who you don’t normally get the chance to play sport with, so the game of Wheelchair Rugby League is a fantastic way to come get involved with a new sport, throw a rugby ball around and most importantly have some fun.

“I went to a game and saw the Foundation banners and some of the first Wheelchair players, who I got talking to and asked about getting involved, but we also have players like Ewan who got on board through a taster session at the Families Day at Headingley, so it’s a brilliant opportunity for anyone out there who fancies a new challenge to come get involved and who knows where it might lead to.

“We’re going to start off with learning the basics with emphasis on having a good time, so if you’re a bit nervous please don’t worry as you’re not going to get thrown into any hard-hitting action at first.

“This is the next stage of an exciting ‘new era’ for Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair having moved into Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds Beckett University this year, and now we’re up and running it’s time to open the doors to new players and naturally grow the club.”

Wheelchairs will be provided at the venue, but anyone who already has a sports wheelchair is welcome to bring their own!

The sessions are completely free to attend, but you can register your interest by clicking on the following link- CLICK HERE

For more information about the ‘Come and Try’ Wheelchair Rugby League sessions, please email ed.bates@leedsrhinosfoundation.org

COME AND TRY WHEELCHAIR RL

What:

Wheelchair Rugby League ‘Come and Try’ sessions

When:

Thursday 28th April and Thursday 5th May- 6pm-7pm

Where:

Leeds Beckett University, Headingley Campus, Church Wood Avenue, LS6 3QS

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