Community Projects Report
  April-July ‘09

Primary Schools Coaching programme (Summer, half term1) :  The work within the South Leeds Primary Schools is based around the fundamental skills of Rugby including, agility, teamwork, catch, grip, ball carry, passing and defensive work all incorporated into fun activities and the game of Tag Rugby. 

The programme moved into the Cockburn and South Leeds High School partnerships for the Summer term.  With over 600 year 5/6 boys and girls taking part in a 6 week coaching programme and 18 primary schools involved, the enjoyment and development of all the children was great to see!

The Schools taking part throughout the Summer coaching programme were:  Cross Flats Park, Hunslet Carr, Clapgate, New Bewerley, Windmill, Hunslet St Mary’s, Ingram Road, Low Road, Hunslet Moor, Beeston Primary, Westwood, Middleton St Phillips, Beeston St Anthonys, Middleton Primary, Beeston St Francis of Assisi, Hugh Gaitskell, Hunslet St Josephs, Middleton St Marys.  

South Leeds Partnership Tag Rugby Festival (at Royds High School) 

On Thursday 30th April over 160 year 5/6 Boys and Girls from 13 primary schools across South Leeds, took part in the Leeds South Partnership Tag Rugby Festival at Royds High School.

The Festival was a great opportunity for the children to test their skills and compete with other schools in what was a very enjoyable occasion! With 2 groups of 8 teams playing 7 minute matches over 4 pitches, the games were played in great spirit and with some fantastic skills on display! After the group rounds the teams finishing top in each group played for first place, a game which saw Churwell Primary coming out winners against Woodlesford primary, after extra time was needed to decide the contest!

The proceedings came to a close with a presentation by Hunslet Hawks and Papau New Guinea  World Cup Stars Nico Slain, Charlie Wabbo and Michael Mark,the children really enjoyed meeting the players and receiving their autographs!

The day was a great success thanks to the schools involved, the School Sports Partnership and a special thank you to the volunteers from Oulton Raiders, Joseph Priestly College and Royds High School who did a great job by encouraging the children, officiating matches and helping the event run so successfully.

Tag Rugby Success!!
Following on from the success of the Leeds South Partnership Tag Rugby Festival in April, 4 teams qualified for the Leeds City Finals held at Headingley Carnegie on Wednesday June 10th.  Representing the South Leeds Partnership, Carlton Primary, Morley Newlands, Cottingley Primary and Woodlesford Primary enjoyed a really memorable day, which involved over 20 teams from all over the City! All the teams competed well and after the group stages and semi-finals, the day culminated in an ‘all’ South Leeds final between Morley Newlands and Woodlesford primary , after a tense 3-3 draw the match was decided by a golden try, which went to Woodlesford Primary. Well done to all the teams that competed!
Hamara Centre

The last 8 weeks has seen children aged 9-13 of different backgrounds and nationalities take part in Fundamentals coaching sessions at Cross Flats park in a unique partnership involving Leeds City Council, Hunslet Hawks, The Hamara Centre and Beeston Broncos.  We’re sure that the successful partnership will continue to develop and that the Broncos will grow and benefit from the work in the community, with children continuing to play Rugby League and linking into their club.

Beeston Festival

With our close links to the Rugby Football League, Hamara Centre and local amateur club, Beeston Broncos we were able to attract hundreds of children to the event at Cross Flats Park on June 13th.  As well as a stall providing drinks and snacks, the children had the opportunity to train and play with the Beeston Broncos team and kick for goal to win prizes, on the RFL Skills Zone inflatable.  On what was a very hot, and enjoyable afternoon it was great to see so many children playing rugby and for many it was their first experience of our great game!   

South Leeds Girls

The development of the South Leeds High School girls Under 13s team continued and saw them finish top of the Leeds Schools U13s League, a great achievement in the first year of the competition.  The Year 8 team also narrowly missed out on progressing in the Champion Schools competition after being edged out in the regional finals in Pontefract.  We’re sure that the experience the girls have gained will continue to see them develop and achieve. 

Nathan Larvin goes back to school….
Hunslet Hawks star and former Churwell Primary School pupil, Nathan Larvin, returned to his old school last month to open the their Summer Fair.  Nathan was said to be honoured to be invited to open the event and see some old faces again!  The event, held at Churwell Primary School, was a great success with activities including, bouncy castles, penalty shoot out competition, majorettes, welly wanging, the dreaded stocks, as well as many other stalls.  The school were delighted to welcome back their former ‘star’ pupil! 

Match Days at the Hawks