Over 1,100 youngsters from right across the north of England converged on Middleton last weekend (2-3 August 2025) for a rugby league youth tournament.
The event was organised by Hunslet Rugby Foundation (HRF) and held at Nutty Slack, the home of Leeds Corinthians RUFC. As well as the rugby, there were games, stalls, inflatables and a barbecue.
The pitches were surrounded by club gazebos and the children urged on by supportive parents.
John Moran from Liverpool Lions rugby league club said:
“We’ve not been to this tournament before, but we were invited at the start of the year and decided to come and try something new. It’s good, we’re enjoying it. We’ve brought over about 25 kids today from our under 9s and under 11s teams, we’ve four teams at the club with over 100 kids playing regularly.
“Tournaments like this are great. They bring all the kids together and give them a chance to play. We brought these boys and girls together to play rugby and meet new teams that we don’t play every week, it’s a good learning experience for them.”
One of the girls who plays for the Lions said she enjoyed playing, when pressed, she said the best thing was the tackling.
Chris Brown from Stanley Rangers commented:
“This is our third year at Hunslet Tournament, we love it, it’s well organised, a great day our for all the parents and all the kids, it’s very, very good.
“We’ve brought two teams today, 17 players. Each team has won one and lost one so far, we’re 50-50, we’re doing good, but hoping to win more.
“We play many of these clubs in the league, but it’s nice to play teams from far and wide – Warrington, Hull – if we can get better teams to play against, give us a test, we’re more than happy, we enjoy doiung that”
Logan, the captain of Stanley Rangers under 11s said:
“It’s good, a bit tough, but we’re playing well together. I enjoy rugby, it’s physical, energetic and everyone’s nice to reach other.”
Michael Nuttall, HRF’s Manager said:
“This is now our fourth community clubs festival and our biggest to date. We welcomed 103 teams from U8s up to the U13s. With the 8s, 9s, 10s & 11s playing on the Saturday and the 12s & 13s playing on the Sunday. The teams travelled from all over Yorkshire and Lancashire to enjoy the weekend and come in great numbers – it really was a special weekend with so many people in attendance.
“A massive thank you to all of the volunteers, sponsors, everyone at the Leeds Corinthians for hosting us and the special team we have here, I could not be any more proud of our team and what we have built with these festival weekends and long may it continue!
“The Sunday was more so special as it was the exact date that I celebrated working for the Hunslet Rugby Foundation for 10 years, having started here on the 3rd August 2015 as a 17 year old!”
All photos: Jeremy Morton
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