Rugby league coaches and managers have come together in Yorkshire to organise an exciting programme of county games for U16 girls. The series kicks off this Sunday (13 November) when East Leeds ARLFC will host the first of a series of games. Taking to the field will be Central Yorkshire and Wigan St Judes.
Take note spectators new to these teams, and to girls rugby league, will perhaps be surprised by the quality of rugby on display, as these girls are very good indeed.
Other teams taking part in these representative games are: Batley Bulldogs and West Yorkshire and to date the following fixtures have been arranged, with more to be announced:
13 Nov 2016 Central Yorkshire v Wigan St Judes at East Leeds ARLFC at 12:00 noon
18 Nov 2016 Central Yorkshire v Batley Bulldogs – venue TBC at 19:00
3-Dec 2016 Central Yorkshire v West Yorkshire time and venue TBC
Batley Bulldogs are coached by Craig Taylor, who has recently returned from a tour of New Zealand where two of the Bulldogs played for the Australian school champions.
Coaching team of Central Yorkshire are confirmed as: Head coach Matt Bullough, Assistant Donna Milner-Jones, Assistant Tony Teal, Assistant Glen Swales and Manager Dean Gledhill.
Speaking about the new competition Dean Gledhill said: “It’s been a while since there has been any form of junior girls’ representative rugby so this is a new concept to most of the girls and they have really bought into it.
“It’s all about the development of players and coaches giving girls the opportunity to step up and experience a more elite environment. Key to that is attitude and in the 3 sessions we have had to date the girls’ attitude has been spot on. I think that shows that this was the right time to put this programme in place. There are some quality players in our junior game and these girls are going to start filtering through into the women’s game over the next couple of years. It’s important that they are given the opportunity and development they need to progress within the game and push on for further representative honours.
“There are a number of coaches working within the programme from various clubs. That was an important part of what we were trying to achieve, allowing coaches and clubs to interact so that the girls’ game benefits as a whole. We have a really good coaching and management team formed for the programme which is vital to making it a success.
“The girls are just keen to get out there and represent Yorkshire central now. It should be a good contest with the girls coming over from Wigan and we hope to showcase what the girl’s game has to offer.”
We are very excited about this new initiative and will be keeping you up to date on results and new fixtures.
Many thanks to Dean Gledhill (Manager of Central Yorkshire) and East Leeds Girls.
