Hunslet Club Parkside and the Hunslet Warriors will join forces as Hunslet ARLFC for 2023.
Reigning NCL champions Parkside and their neighbours Hunslet Warriors will start the new season with a total of 18 teams – including 2 girls’ sides – ranging from under 6 all the way up to open age 1st team as they bid to become the country’s largest community club.
Dav Mawson, Senior and Junior Chair at Hunslet ARLFC said: “This merger has secured amateur rugby league in South Leeds for the foreseeable future. We realised The Warriors and Hunslet Club Parkside were losing players to other clubs due to our not having the correct age groups for them to play in and no Hunslet player should be forced to play out of their area. It’s my ambition to create the best amateur rugby club in the country and with the terrific facilities at the Warriors and the unrivalled expertise of the Hunslet Club I’m confident this will happen.”
For many years there has been an intense rivalry between these two proud South Leeds clubs who have produced some of the greatest amateur and professional players to grace the game, including the likes of Jason Robinson and Garry Schofield.
Paul Thorpe, Senior and Open Age Secretary at Hunslet ARLFC added: “We now have the chance to build the two merged clubs and move forward with top class facilities and coaching expertise ensuring amateur rugby league in South Leeds flourishes and continues to produce players not only to keep amateur rugby at the forefront of our great game, but also to continue the long production line through to the professional game. At the end of the day this merger is all about giving our kids the very best opportunities.”
Photo: Wearing their famous club colours for the last time are representatives from Hunslet Warriors and Hunslet Club Parkside juniors, girls and open age sections, holding the 2022 NCL Premier Division Grand Final Trophy
