North Yorkshire Development Plan Continues to Grow

York RLFC is actively developing rugby league in North Yorkshire focusing on both junior and community club growth, through the work of its Foundation.

In conjunction with the Rugby Football League, the Foundation has expanded playing opportunities, particularly for primary-aged children. This includes initiatives in Selby, Scarborough, and Harrogate with new community clubs such as Raiders Rugby League, and support for Community Club expansion including Harrogate Hawks and Scarborough Pirates who previously only had playing opportunities for open-age players. The development plan also includes teacher training, coach education, club support and festivals to introduce secondary school students to the sport.

The overall goal is to grow the game in North Yorkshire by providing playing opportunities, coaching support, and fostering a stronger rugby league community. In total in 2024, we engaged with over 2,500 primary school-aged children in both Harrogate and Selby. This year, the plan was to add growth in Scarborough to the plan.

York Knights, the professional team, are also aiming to establish a fully-fledged academy to further enhance the pathway for young players.

York RLFC Foundation has recently announced a series of community sessions planned over the summer break in Scarborough following the recent succession of schools' delivery. The Foundation delivery teams have visited Braeburn Primary and Nursery Academy, East Ayton Primary School and they're due to visit St George's VC Academy in the coming weeks. It means taster sessions will be held for some 450 children. The link is now also in place with Scarborough Pirates, who play out of Cayton Playing Fields.

Meanwhile, in Selby, Raiders Rugby League weekly Community Junior sessions now have close to twenty registered participants following from its launch in 2024. After the success of last year, the weekly community sessions have moved to a new base at Barlby High School for primary-aged children in school years 2-6. The Foundation has managed to expand its work, doubling the number of primary schools receiving our in-school curriculum offer, while also aiding the launch of a new Community Club, Raiders Rugby League, within the Selby District.

As well as the work in Selby, the Foundation will continue to make inroads in Harrogate to support Harrogate Hawks with their quest to have a junior section. Primary delivery is booked in at Knaresborough St John’s CE Primary School within the coming weeks, and further announcements of future delivery in Harrogate will be made shortly.

York RLFC Foundation Community Coach Mark Prangnell said: “We are making progress in all three areas.

"Last year, a significant number of children participated in Rugby League in Selby through our successful in-school curriculum programme and holiday sessions, which consequently led to players joining the weekly community sessions with Raiders. We are using a similar approach for Scarborough and Harrogate.”

“We aim to build on this for the rest of 2025 and once again offer playing opportunities for the participating children. North Yorkshire has significant potential for the growth of Rugby League, which we hope will lead to an even greater increase in all of three of our target areas this year through our community sessions.”

“We have a Community Festival planned for Sunday 17th August, open to all Community Rugby League teams at U9s and U11s, which will be played at York St John Haxby Road Sport Park. We are targeting this as a great way to introduce new players to the sport by experiencing a festival.”

“For any interested parties in playing, volunteering, or supporting these three areas, we urge you to come forward and get in touch.”

York RLFC Foundation's weekly Raiders community sessions:

Who: Children in School Years 2-6

When: Every Tuesday 6pm – 7pm.

Where: Barlby High School, York Road, Barlby, YO8 5JP.

Cost: First session free, £3 per session thereafter

To register your child for the sessions in Selby, please click HERE.

York RLFC Foundation's Scarborough-based summer community sessions:

Who: Children in School Years 3-6

When: 23rd & 30th July, 13th & 20th August

Time: 10am - 12pm

Where: Cayton Playing Fields, YO11 3TG

Cost: FREE

To register your child for the sessions in Scarborough, please click HERE.

For more information, including information on volunteering or sponsorship, please email foundation@yorkrlfc.com or call 01904 670880 and ask for the Foundation team.

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