What’s happening at Hunslet RLFC? On and off the field it appears the sleeping giant is beginning to awake.
As we have reported week by week this year the team are pushing for promotion. Currently on five game winning streak, including three of the top six teams, they take on league leaders Dewsbury on Sunday (30 July 2023) at South Leeds Stadium.
The fixture is both mouth-watering on and off the pitch. Mark Collin has recently taken over the role of Hospitality & Bars Director at Hunslet and his brought his wealth of knowledge gained as landlord of the Hare & Hounds pub in Rothwell. Mark has overhauled the hospitality offering in the Parkside Suite which is sold out again this week.
Mark has lots of ideas to maximise the potential of what he describes as “some of the best facilities in rugby league from which to host hospitality and view the game.”
In the long term he hopes to create matchday festivals with family activities before and after the game. And away from the rugby he would like to run many more events – bands, birthday parties, functions, etc – on week nights and through the off season.
He’s not daunted by the location of South Leeds stadium, which many view as ‘out of the way.’ He suggests the club could do a deal with a local taxi company to subsidise or cap fares to Hunslet events in return for exclusive publicity – it’s just an idea at this stage but it shows a positivity that matches the passion of the club’s Directors and supporters.
Meanwhile the Hunslet Rugby Foundation is busy in the community. Apart from their work delivering PE sessions to many local schools; they run the weekly ParkPlay sessions in Brickfield Park, Beeston every Saturday; and two Active Communities sessions at St John & St Barnabas Church in Belle Isle every Tuesday and Friday.
As if that wasn’t enough, they are currently running rugby camps at Leeds Corinthians in Middleton and Beeston Broncos; and have a big rugby festival coming up next month.
If you would like to get involved in the growing range of initiatives around Hunslet RLFC, get in touch by emailing info@hunsletrlfc.com
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