Betfred Super League club Leeds Rhinos are set to launch their first-ever women's team, who will bid to compete in the Women's Super League in 2018.
The Leeds Rhinos Women's team will be an Open Age side (for players aged 16 and over) and will play at the University of Leeds' Sports Park, Weetwood.
some of their fixtures will also feature as the curtain-raiser game ahead of Leeds Rhinos' Super League fixtures at Headingley Carnegie.
The Leeds Rhinos Women will also be aiming to add an Under-19s side to the programme to keep more young girls, who drop off at the 16+ mark, engaged in Rugby League.
Gary Hetherington, Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive, said: "Leeds Rhinos are totally committed to supporting the growth of Rugby League amongst women and girls and it's so good to see so many currently playing the and we hope the creation of a potential new Super League team will encourage even more to play."
Recruitment for the team will be led by Leeds Rhinos Foundation, who work extensively in Leeds Primary and Secondary schools, as well as Leeds community clubs, to deliver coaching workshops with over 1,500 girls.
Lois Forsell, Leeds Rhinos Foundation's women and girls development officer, who is a current England international, will be heading up the Leeds Rhinos Women's team as programme co-ordinator and thinks the venture is something that will benefit the city of Leeds.
The Rhinos Women's RL team launch night will be on 21st September. Email lois.forsell@leedsrhinosfoundation.org for details #LeedsGirlsCan pic.twitter.com/MpeArtXBqU
— Rhinos Foundation (@RugbyLeeds) September 1, 2017
She said: "Leeds Rhinos Foundation now engage with more girls and women playing Rugby League in Leeds than ever before, so for us to offer an opportunity and a pathway for them to play for our own team is something that will help the women's game grow even further.
"We firmly believe that the introduction of a Women's Super League team in Leeds will enhance our women's and girl's development programme.
"As a charity, we are very proud to be affiliated with the Rhinos and we believe that having a club with their success and history behind us will inspire more girls to get involved in playing and we hope to be a team that young girls aspire to play for, just as boys dream of playing for the Rhinos."
Women interested in playing are invited to a launch evening at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on September 21 in the Pavilion, where they will be able to find out more information on the new team.
This will be followed by taster sessions and try outs which will cater for all women interested in either having a taster of Rugby League or aiming to excel further within the sport.
Key Dates:
Thursday, September 21. From 6.30pm - Launch Evening. Headingley Carnegie Stadium, LS6 3BR
Monday, October 2. 6.30pm-8pm - Leeds Rhinos Women Taster Session. Headingley Carnegie Stadium, LS6 3BR
Tuesday, October 10. 6.30pm-8pm - Leeds Rhinos Women’s Under-16-19s Try Out. Sports Park Weetwood, LS16 8NA
Tuesday, October 17. 6.30pm-8.30pm - Leeds Rhinos Women Open Access Try Out. Sports Park Weetwood, LS16 8NA
To find out more about the Leeds Rhinos Women's team, contact lois.forsell@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.
