Leeds Rhinos legend Danny McGuire has returned to AMT Headingley after joining the Leeds Rhinos Foundation in a newly created role as Rugby League Impact and Growth Manager.
Leeds-born McGuire who played for his home town club between 2002 and 2017 having come through the club’s fabled Academy system. In his final game for the club, he led the Rhinos to Grand Final glory in 2017 at Old Trafford and now he hopes to provide the same inspiration to the children in the city to pick up a rugby ball for the first time and begin their own Rugby League journey.
The Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Rugby League Development Plan has been designed to drive participation in the sport, at all levels, and retain those already in the game whether as players, coaches, volunteers, referees or administrators. It will be governed by a newly created Rugby League Development Steering group for the city, aimed at giving a clear direction for grassroots Rugby League development and offer support for those who want to see the game grow and, importantly, thrive in the years ahead.
The record breaking try scorer won eight Grand Finals during a glittering playing career but now he hopes he can use that success to grow the game he loves in Leeds. McGuire commented, “People talk about community like it’s just an idea but in Rugby League, it’s a reality. Our clubs are the beating heart of our communities, they live alongside us and offer us a chance of something else – they always have.
“I am proud to be a Rugby League player. When I was growing up, I watched my heroes and dreamed of being like them. I was lucky enough to live my dream and now I want to help every boy and girl have the same opportunity that I had.
“Sadly over the last 30 years, the chance to play Rugby League in schools and clubs has faced tough times. Cuts to spending and other hobbies have taken a generation away from the playing fields of Leeds. But the Leeds Rhinos Foundation want to change that.
“We want more kids playing the game, more adults coaching the game and more teams in the game. We want every child to know where their local team is and want to join it, no matter where they live.
“Rugby League changed my life, not just because of the career I was able to have but the mates I made along the way and lessons I learnt. But in order for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation to reach as many children as possible, we need the support of the people of Leeds. It’s a simple equation; the more money we can raise, the more children we can reach. Through the Rugby League Development Plan, we can strategically bring the game back to those kids and help our clubs in the city to grow with more youngsters coming through their doors every year,” added McGuire.
Dan Busfield, Head of Partnerships and Development for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, added, “We are delighted to welcome Danny back to the Rhinos as a figurehead for a new era for the Rugby League Development Plan. Danny and his team mates gave the city so many incredible memories but, perhaps more importantly, they showed the values that we know Rugby League teaches all our young people.
“A study done by the Leeds Rhinos Foundation recently highlighted that for every £1 invested in Rugby League there is a £7 cost benefit to society. A clear return on investment that many other sports can not match. The Foundation’s purpose is to change lives through the power of sport and, at our core, is the game of Rugby League which has been part of our communities DNA since the formation of the game in 1895.
“Through the passion of people like Sam Horner, our Community Clubs Officer, we have seen numbers begin to grow in recent years but we can go so much further particularly when we look at the huge area for development in the girls and womens game.
“By having a strategic plan and, hopefully, attracting new sponsors and partners, we will also be able make sure that we have the right resources to capitalise on new players coming to the game with an emphasis on developing coaches and referees from the hundreds of volunteers, without whom we would not have a game.
“We are keen to speak to people who want to be part of this journey with Danny and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation team. It is a chance for the people of Leeds to have a direct impact on the lives of the children in our city and ask anyone who is interested to get in touch,” added Busfield.
If you or your business would like to support the Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s mission to ‘Change Lives Through The Power of Sport’ please contact Dan.Busfield@leedsrhinosfoundation.org
Incoming Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Jamie Jones-Buchanan added, “It is great to see Danny back at the club and for the Foundation to give him a chance to grow the game we both grew up loving. I am a product of the Rugby League environment I was nurtured in. I was a kid in the South Stand cheering on my heroes, then a player on the field and now we have the chance to lead the club into a new era. That is the incredible opportunities the sport of Rugby League gives you and I hope, through the Rugby League Development Plan, we can pass that gift onto the next generation.”