The 2023 York RLFC Excel Lions Boys Player Development Programme for Under-15s and Under-16s will launch on Monday 12th June.
York Knights ace Josh Daley is leading the 2023 Programme, with the hooker having a background of working in development programmes in his native Australia and through his career in teaching.
A number of current Knights stars and York RLFC Programme Coaches will further help young players in the city reach their potential.
The programme is FREE and open to all boys regardless of past experience, with sessions being delivered on rugby league skill development and application, strength and conditioning, nutrition and lifestyle training all at York St John University Sports Park.
The first block begins on Monday 12th June (6.15pm - 7.30pm) for boys currently in Year 10 and Year 11 at school. Although many of the players that attend are likely to come from community rugby league clubs, sessions are open to new players interested in playing rugby league.
The Programme aims to increase the number of quality rugby league players aged 12-16 playing the sport by developing all players regardless of their past playing experience.
The Excel programme, which uses the same state-of-the-art sports facilities at York St John University as used by York Knights and York Valkyrie forms part of the York RLFC Player Pathway Programme and is rated as 'Outstanding' by the RFL.
Programme leader Daley said of his involvement: "I was really happy to be part of the Programme when I was approached by the Club about it.
"To be able to grow the Programme and get more kids playing rugby league in York, it was a no-brainer for me.
"So far, the numbers have been really good and been getting a lot of happy faces, which has been so good to see.
"Coaching can be really rewarding and you do get a little fire in yourself when find more ways to coach and make the kids better.
"It'd be amazing to see kids progress through from these sessions and make it into the first-team. For the kids themselves, it gives them something to shoot towards and aim for.
"The whole idea to build rugby league in York as much as we can.
"We want to get as many bodies down to training as we can and getting the kids to enjoy it and want to come back."
Please note that this block of coaching is for players studying in School Years 10 and 11 exclusively with further blocks to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Block One - Under-15s and Under-16s (Current Years 10 and 11):
Session 1 - Monday 12th June (6.15pm - 7.30pm)
Session 2 - Monday 19th June (6.15pm - 7.30pm)
Session 3 - Monday 26th June (6.15pm - 7.30pm)
Session 4 - Monday 3rd July (6.15pm - 7.30pm)
Session 5 - Monday 10th July (6.15pm - 7.30pm)
Session 6 - Monday 17th July (6.15pm - 7.30pm)
To book your place on the 2023 York RLFC Excel Lions Boys Player Development Programme for Under-15s and Under-16s, click HERE.
For more information, please email info@yorkrlfc.com or call 01904 670880.
