The RFL

Gypsy and traveller community

One of the most disadvantaged groups in the UK today is the gypsy and traveller community. They continually face exclusion from society and extremely hostile reactions from both the public and media. RFL are looking to challenge these negative stereotypes and to work alongside the gypsy and traveller community to provide rugby skills coaching.

Over the last few months there has been a great deal of interest in rugby league by members of the gypsy and traveller community. Two young people from the site attended the engage Super League Grand Final with a Leeds Gate worker, a few weeks later thirty members of the gypsy and traveller community, including several family groups attended the England v Wales match at Doncaster. The response to these experiences has been extremely positive and the community members really enjoyed the welcoming family atmosphere of the matches. Claire from Leeds Gate said “there is a real excitement and enthusiasm about rugby league throughout the camp and the young people are looking forward to starting their course”
 
In November Leeds Sports Development and Hunslet Warriors will begin delivering an eight week rugby skills course for up to fifteen young people aged from 8 to14 years. There is a hope that the young people will continue to attend Hunslet Warriors beyond the eight week course and who knows they may discover a new talent for the future.