Although now plying his trade in the South of the city with Hunslet Hawks, former Leeds Rhinos Academy star Joe Sanderson has retained links with his former club in the role of full time North Leeds Rugby League Development Officer for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.
Sanderson, who signed for Rhinos in 2013 was an integral part of the club’s Under 19’s side last season, contributing 13 tries and over 100 goals in 19 appearances.
A product of Drighlington ARLFC, the 19-year-old took up a full time role with Leeds Rhinos’ official charity in October having previously worked in a part time capacity alongside training with the Rhinos academy over the past two years.
“I’m really enjoying my new role so far, I’ve been around some of the Foundation staff before having done a year apprenticeship while I was an academy player with the Rhinos, where I worked with all the other Rugby League Development Officers.
“Gradually as it’s gone on I’ve learnt a lot from them and to be full time now working on my own, I feel like I’m better prepared for my coaching sessions and really enjoying the role,” said Sanderson.
With experience playing at a professional club and working alongside members of the Rhinos first team squad during his tenure at Headingley Carnegie, Sanderson hopes to bring some of his experience to the role this year:
“Working with the other development officers Richard Tate, Callum Tolson, Ian Hardman and Lois Forsell, I really learnt a lot and also being an academy player before and working with Chris Plume and Jonny Wainhouse, I’ve got a bit of experience I can take into the schools and pass on to the kids about what it’s like to be in professional environment.”
Now competing for a place at Leeds Rhinos neighbour club Hunslet Hawks, the former Morley High School student is pleased to see that his work experience and off-field development while at the Rhinos has led to a full time role to complement playing part time in the Championship One division:
“It’s massive gaining experience in this role, because anything can happen in Rugby League while playing, you could get an injury and you need something to fall back on. I think this job is perfect for me, it’s rugby that I love doing and it’s been my focus since a young age.
“Hunslet is only 10 minutes away from me and with Leeds being on the doorstep as well it’s been really helpful for getting around my schools while being able to train with Hunslet as well, so it’s working out very well.
As North Leeds Development Officer, Sanderson works alongside four other officers operating across the city delivering Rugby and multi skills sessions in primary and high schools to try to increase participation levels in rugby league and to provide a link to local community clubs.
With a busy competition schedule before Christmas, Sanderson has also been tasked with supporting schools through the RFL’s Champion Schools knockout rounds and in the Leeds and Hunslet school’s competition providing lunchtime and afterschool clubs at schools in North Leeds.
“I’ve been working with quite a few schools so far including; Benton Park, Abbey Grange, Roundhay High, Lawnswood, Carr Manor, Cardinal Heenan and Allerton High and its really good to see them progressing their rugby levels and enjoying the game.
“Unfortunately Abbey Grange, who were through to Yorkshire Cup stages of the Champion Schools competition won their first round tie but lost out last week in the second round, so won’t progress any further, but it’s been really good to see some of the schools in the North entering cup competitions and improving all the time.
Sanderson will also link primary schools in the city with local community clubs, running taster coaching sessions with clubs under the charity’s Rugby League Development Plan supported by Mears, which is designed to improve the number of players taking part in regular Rugby League.
For the Leeds-born half-back, 2017 will bring new challenges on and off the field as he adapts to his new roles, something which he is relishing:
“I’ve always supported Leeds since I was young and just being round the first team and some of my old team mates in the Academy, it’s still good to see them all and being a Leeds lad it’s really good to still be playing rugby league in the city with Hunslet,” added Sanderson.
For more information on Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Rugby League Development Plan visit: http://www.leedsrhinosfoundation.org/sport/rl_development_plan.php