Leeds City College’s Rugby League side coached by Leeds Rhinos Foundation Higher Education Officer Russell Parker claimed the Yorkshire Colleges Division title last week following an unbeaten season to cap off a fantastic year.
Leeds City College who compete in the Yorkshire Colleges League against higher education institutions from across Yorkshire completed the season with an uneaten record, including wins against Newcastle Thunder Academy, Hull FC Foundation College, Kirklees College, St Mary's and Dons Foundation Academy.
After finishing 4th in the Yorkshire Division 1 competition before Christmas, despite finishing the league with four wins in their last five games, Leeds City College kicked off the new Yorkshire Division campaign with a promising 34-6 victory over Newcastle Thunder Academy and never looked back, going on to win all of their remaining games to clinch the title.
The team found their scoring touch in the campaign, scoring a league high 264 points, developing a team spirit along the way to come out on top in close games towards the end of the season and also enjoyed their first ever college tour against academies from Wolverhampton and London in May.
Similar to the fate of the Leeds Rhinos after the Christmas period floods, the team lost their training facilities at Leeds Rugby Academy in Kirkstall but through support from North Leeds Leopards were able to train and play at Far Moss Sports Ground in Moortown throughout the season.
Playing 20 games in all competitions this season, the Leeds City College team only lost four games and will build on the success next year with two teams being entered into the Yorkshire competitions, following 30 attendees at the recent team trials.
Links with the community game have also been strong this year with East Leeds, Hunslet Parkside, Milford Marlins, Hunslet Warriors, Farnley Falcons, Kippax Welfare, Stanningley, Beeston Broncos and Oulton Raiders all represented in the side, each player bringing their community club experience to the team and raising standards in the dressing room and on the field.
Team awards for the 2015/16 campaign go to tough tackling Centre Ryan Kallinda, 17-Try Prop Forward Jamaine Ruan and 16-Try Winger Tom Hutchinson who won players of the year awards for their contribution to the season.
As a final send off for the team the players will be presented to the crowd at the Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils on Friday 10th June. Head Coach Russell Parker commented on the season:
“All aspects of the Rugby League Academy at Leeds City College have gone well this year and winning the Yorkshire Division title is well deserved by the students.”
If you are interested in studying at Leeds City College in September and being part of the Rugby League Academy e-mail:courses@leedscitycollege.ac.uk or visit http://www.leedscitycollege.ac.uk/student-life/sports-academy/ for more information.
Rugby League players interested in finding out more about playing for Leeds City College can email Russell.Parker@leedsrhinosfoundation.org