York RLFC were delighted to welcome more than 60 junior players to our round of sessions for 2024 Excel Lions Player Development Programme on Monday evening!
Junior players from Heworth ARLFC, New Earswick All Blacks and York Acorn took part in the session at the state-of-the-art York St John University Sports Park facilities, which was aimed at the U12s, U13s and U14s age groups.
The programme was overseen by York Knights Head of Rugby Operations and Development Andrew Henderson and led by York Knights Assistant Coach Will Leatt, York Knights stars AJ Towse and Taylor Pemberton alongside community coaches Liam Haxby, Andy Fletcher and James Bromwich.
The free-to-attend open-access training sessions are the first stage of the York RLFC Player Pathway Programme, which is rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Rugby Football League (RFL), providing young players with an introduction to professional rugby league skills, strength and conditioning and nutrition.
York RLFC Head of Rugby Operations and Development Andrew Henderson said: “First and foremost, it’s great that we’ve got a player pathway for the younger players within our local community to embrace and be part of and to be able to provide an opportunity for them.
“I’m really pleased to get the Excel Lions programme off the ground for 2024. This is the start of a four-week programme for our U12s and a six-week programme for our U13s and U14s with a potential playing opportunity at the end of it.
“This is an open-access programme and really forms the first stage of our player performance pathway. For me, this is a great opportunity for younger players in the community to get some exposure to this environment and take their first steps on the ladder to becoming a professional rugby league player.”
To watch the full interview with York RLFC Head of Rugby Operations and Development Andrew Henderson on YouTube, click HERE!
The full list of dates for the York Knights 2024 Excel Lions Player Development Programme can be found below alongside links to sign-up!
All sessions are being held at the York St John University Sports Park.
U12s, U13s, U14s:
Monday 1st July, Monday 8th July, Monday 15th July (7pm-8pm): BOOK HERE
Monday 5th August, Monday 12th August (7pm-8pm) plus game (date TBC): BOOK HERE
U15s, U16s:
Monday 9th September, Monday 16th September, Monday 23rd September, Monday 30th September, Monday 7st October (7pm-8pm) plus game (date TBC): BOOK HERE
Any businesses or organisations interested in supporting the York RLFC LDRL team or the York RLFC Foundation can do so through a range of available sponsorship packages.
For more information, please email York RLFC General Manager Neil Gulliver on n.gulliver@yorkrlfc.com, visit the Club Shop (Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm) or call 01904 670880 and ask for the Foundation team.
