As part of Leeds Rugby Foundation’s (LRF) Rugby League Development Plan for Leeds, the Indoor Junior Touch Rugby Programme returns this coming Sunday for U10 youngsters of local community clubs.
The programme, which is in its fifth year, works in partnership with Hunslet Hawks Community Department and throughout the year, each age group from Mini's, to U10's of Leeds Junior Community Clubs’ are given their chance to improve their skills at Soccer City, Leeds.
The Festivals are ran on small indoor 3G surfaces with quick turnaround games of seven minutes in length. There are no restrictions to side lines with all mistakes being classed as a turnover, allowing the U10’s to grubber the ball on the last tackle. This in turn quickens the games making it more enjoyable for the kids involved and improving skill sets.
LRF Community Club Development Officer Sam Horner commented: "As the Indoor Junior Touch Rugby Programme Festivals progress, there is a clear change that the players are now looking for space, communicating more, making use of their speed, carrying the ball in 2 hands and creating 2 v 1s whilst still having fun.
"The bigger players also look for offloads and equally look to pass to their smaller, faster players," he continued.
"This environment will hopefully pave the way for developing skills to take forward into the full contact format. This concept is not a replacement of contact but rather a stepping stone to enrich our young players, keeping them sharp in our winter climate and tracking the players' development."
The festival will allow clubs' to enter up to 2 teams per age group and there will be an entry fee of £1.50 per player to cover the facility costs. The events will be run as a 5 a-side festival with 8 team members, meaning 3 players will rest at all times. Registration will be 9.15-9.30am with all games starting at 10am and the festival finishing at approximately 12.30pm.
The day will also include presentations with all players receiving a certificate and a chance to meet Ronnie Rhino, Harry Hawk and Leeds Rhinos/Hunslet Hawks players at least once throughout the festival dates.
The next Indoor Junior Rugby League Festivals are as follows:
26th January – U10's
8th February – U8's and U9's
15th February – Mini and U7's
22nd February – U10's
If you are interested in any of the upcoming sessions, please email: LRCABooking@leedsrugbyfoundation.org