York RLFC are delighted to confirm that York Valkyrie Director of Rugby Lindsay Anfield and six members of her playing squad will be visiting Uganda next month as part of our partnership with Rugby League Uganda.
Anfield, Valkyrie stars Georgia Taylor, Rhiannion Marshall, Bettie Lambert, Alisha Clayton, Ellie Hendry and Chloe Smith and Doctor Richard Lawrance will head to Uganda from Sunday 28th May, after the side’s Betfred Women’s Super League clash against Warrington Wolves (11.30am) at the Summer Bash, which will be held at the LNER Community Stadium.
The Valkyrie be providing an International Rugby League (IRL) Level One Coaching qualification to volunteers, delivering coaching sessions to four open-age teams, a referees work-shop plus coaching juniors and running a mini-tournament in schools.
Doctor Lawrance will also be providing pitch-side training for first-aiders and providing medical supplies.
Ahead of the trip, York RLFC are appealing to supporters and our local community clubs for rugby league and sports equipment donations, which can be taken to the East African nation.
The following donations will be gratefully accepted from the Donation Box stationed next to the Till at the Club Shop inside the LNER Community Stadium.
York RLFC would welcome the following donations from the Club Shop (Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm):
Training kit
Balls and ball bags
Tackle bags
Shield bags
Ladders
Post protectors
Tennis balls
Footballs
Cones
Bibs
Kicking tee
Tags
Training bands
Alternatively, you can donate through Rugby League Uganda’s GoFundMe page by clicking HERE.
Anfield expressed her excitement at the excursion, which will also see the Valkyrie support the Uganda National Championship Finals, meet senior figures and sponsors in Uganda as well as providing life-changing cultural experiences for the group.
She said: "I have been working with Fortunate Irankunda, the Founder of The Whales Rugby League Academy in Uganda, as a rugby league coach in Uganda for a few years now and she has brilliantly established eight teams - four female and four male - as well as sourcing a number of volunteers.
“I am extremely excited about how this partnership with York RLFC can support the growth of rugby league in Uganda, and introduce as many new people to the sport as possible.
“As a coach, I believe rugby is as much about providing opportunities as it is about performing on the field.
"For the tour party we are taking to Uganda, the whole experience and life-long memories they will gain from this cannot be underestimated.
“It is extremely rewarding for me to be able to lead this trip and am so grateful to Chairman Clint Goodchild and everyone at the Club for supporting this project.”
