West Leeds Eagle’sAmateur Rugby League Club

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West Leeds Eagle’sARLFC

Club DirectoryFounded : 1997

Ground: Redshaw Road, Leeds,LS12 1HH, W. Yorkshire.

PresidentMr Peter Nicholson

Chair:Laura Wilson

Vice ChairJanet McEvoy

TreasurerSamantha Nicholson

Club SecretaryDonna Tobitt

AdvisorsKath Wilson, Sam Horner,Stuart

McKenzie

Trustee’sJanet McEvoy, Laura Wilson,

Donna Tobitt, Samantha Nichol-son, Jim McKenna

Cover Photograph StoryThe cover for this edition feature’s one of our rising starsfrom the Under 15’s. Lewis Tasker, Tassy to his friends,

on one of his ‘power drives’ to the try line….

Hello everyone, and wel-come to a re-vamped ‘GroupNews’. Up until now, wehave produced the news asseparate issues for those agegroups that wanted them, butit has been suggested we in-corporate all the variousgroups, reports, and newsinto one magazine style is-sue.

So, starting with this issue, we have begun to try out variousdesigns, layouts and ideas. Your opinions and any sugges-tions are always welcome, so please make them known.

Like all new ideas, the news will develop, and hopefullygrown, as we go along. If any of the younger end wish tocontribute pieces, such as quizzes, crosswords, puzzles, orwant to design one of the covers, then please feel free, themore that become involved the better.

At the time of writing, many people are either on holiday,have illness, injuries, or work commitments, so some regu-lar items are missing from this issue, so may we take thisopportunity of wishing those people a speedy recovery.Also, as the winter season ends and the summer seasonbegin for our many age groups, the transition from one tothe other is still being completed and this will also bringabout changes in the news, but we will try to keep youup-to-date as much as we can, and advise you continue tocheck your various group news outlets each day.

A number of ideas have been put forward and we arelooking into these. We can only bring you feature’s with theco-operation of others, and already one or two of the coach-es, such as Andy Smith and Craig Boot, have written somegreat reports that have been featured on their group FaceBook pages and we will be taking these reports, adding tothem and combining them into the news as we go along.

We have not forgotten the achievement of our Open AgeWomen’s team either. We have something planned and areworking on this with hopes of bringing you a bit of a specialin due course.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this rather ‘emergency’issue, thank you and enjoy the weekends rugby.

We are grateful to our latest sponsors Creating Utopia Tattoo Studio fortheir U13s kit sponsorship. Your help is greatly appreciated. Anyone lookingfor a tattoo, check these guys out at 2-4 Bradford Road, Stanningley, Pudsey.Tel: 07845831563.

West Leeds Eagle’s ARLFC extend theirsincere thanks to the following for their

sponsorship and SupportPLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

West LEEDS Under 15’sThe squad that was an-nounced for the gameagainst Dewsbury Celtic,after the final training ses-sion during mid-week wasas follows:

(1) Lewis Johnson(2) Kieran Tommis(3) Kyle Boland(4) Matthew Harvey(5) Owen Tate(6) Eden Collinson (capt)(7) Lewis Evans(8) Thomas Barker(9) Ellis Burgham(10) Jack Dowas(11) Alan Day(12) Benn Dimberline(13) Lewis Tasker

SubsBradley Craig Michael Poole

Kick-off: 11 am

#ForeverATeam

Andy Smith Has His Say….

Dewsbury Celtic U15s were visitors to West Leeds Eagle’s on Sunday 2 April,and came with expectations to continuing their good start to Division Four forthe new season, having won three of their opening four fixtures.

The Eagle’s hadn’t played Dewsbury for two years, and at the time we last metthem they had a very strong squad which managed to finish second in the 2015campaign to secure promotion.

We played them on two occasions and lost both times. On 11 July 2015 atDewsbury, we lost 50-0., And at Leeds on 11 April 2015, they won 42-8.

However, as we showed the previous week, in very similar circumstances, thepast is the past, what matters is how the side performed in this coming fixture.

The side need to ensure that they go into this game the way they finished theHemsworth game. We cannot afford to continue going into games half asleep,waking up at half-time and chasing the game.

At the time this edition was being compiled, there was no match report fromAndy due to personal commitments. It is hoped he is feeling better after his eyeinjury, and will be back to his normal self shortly….Best wishes Andy!

A Cracking encounter…but Dewsbury Just edge it…

Versus

Under15’s

Yorkshire Junior League Division FourLeague Table - to Sat 8 April 2017

#ForeverATeam

Queensbury retain 100% start…After last weekend’s fixture’s, Bradford side, Queensbury, maintain their 100%record, and are now four points clear of second placed Dewsbury Celtic, whomoved into second spot after their win at West Leeds Eagles.

Hemsworth are in third place, on points difference, five points behind theleaders, and one point from the second placed side Dewsbury. West LeedsEagles remain in sixth position, but the season is still young, and a number ofplayers are absent due to injury. It is hoped that more players will be availablefor selection shortly so that the side will be back to full strength for the run in toEaster/

Three sides, Meltham All Blacks,Featherstone Lions and Eatmoor Dragons,have to register any points, all three have games in hand of the clubs abovethem.

This weekend, the Eagle’s were scheduled to host Guiseley, but this fixture hashad to be cancelled, while Eastmoor Dragons entertain at Featherstone Lionsin a home fixture.

Players, officials and supporters from West Leeds Eagles and DewsburyCeltic line up for a minutes silence to pay their respects to Norman Smith, whopassed away recently, aged 69.

Norman was born in Kirkstall, Leeds, and was educated at Burley St MathiasSchool, before going on to Kirkstall Road School.

Norman had an hugely successful career in Rugby League, playing for Kirk-stall Boys and Leeds Electric, and represented his city when he was selected toplay for Leeds City Boys.

He then turned professional, playing for Dewsbury. Rams He was coach from1993 to 1995 and was in charge in the clubs first season at Owl Lane, and thelast at Mount Pleasant.

He was first assistant to Jack Addy before taking over first team affairs, whenJack took a step back.

The Rams were playing in the old 3rd division at the time, but were remem-bered for playing free flowing rugby.

The clubs threequarter line at the time was well known and was made up ofclub favourites Eddie Rombo, Marquis Charles, Errol Johnson and DennisBailey. Nathan Graham and Darren Fleary were also amongst the youngerplayers.

He was often seen in his long blue coat, due to to iRugby League still being awinter sport and he was very much a people's person.

Norman was a highly successful and respected coach, coaching at Dewsbury,Milford Marlins - where he is considered a legend - and Leeds Rhinos, wherehe coached the ‘A’ team under Maurice Bamford.

Norman was credited with persuading his old school friend, John Holmes, tocome out of retirement and help bring through the next generation of playersin the ‘A’ team. Both enjoyed great success with the Rhinos ‘A’ team duringtheir years at the club.

He was promoted to assistant coach when David Ward was appointed HeadCoach in 1989. Over a long period, he organised numerous successful

Summer Camps throughout Leeds, where the best young players in the Citywere given extra coaching during the then off-season.

Norman lived Rugby League, and he had an encyclopedic knowledge of thegame and was a vital asset to the backroom team at Headingley.

He was hugely respected and loved throughout the Rugby League communityin both professional and amateur games, and was always happy to talk tosupporters after a game, whatever the result, and was always seen with a smile.His funeral was held at Rawdon Crematorium on 3rd April .

Norman will be sadly missed by all, and all at the West Leeds Eagles ARLFCsend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

AcknowledgementsWith thanks to Andy andJenny Smith, Laura andLee Dimberline, Craig

Boot, The Yorkshire Jun-ior ARL, and the rest ofthe team for their time inhelping to compile thisedition of the U15’s

‘Group News’

DisclaimerViews expressed in

Group News are not nec-essarily those of the WestLeeds Eagles ARLFC orof West Leeds Sports &

Social Club.

With Thanks…This piece could nothave been compiledwithout the postingsfrom Leeds Rhinos,Dewsbury Rams, Mil-ford Marlins, TonyScargill (DewsburyRams) and WestLeeds Eagles’ AndySmith, to whom weoffer our thanks.

COME AND JOINUS!

Recruiting continuesWe are currently re-cruiting for all ages ifanyone would like tojoin us or give it a try(first two sessionsfree), get fit, newfriends, no experiencenecessary, more the

https://www.steedensports.com/club-shop/west-leeds-arlfc

West Leeds ARLFC clothing is now available toorder direct online from Steeden Sports

OTHER NEWSCancelled fixture and

training…Sunday’s fixture againstGuiseley has been can-

celled, but taining will stilltake place over the Easter

Holidays.

COME AND JOIN US!Recruiting continues

We are currently recruiting forall ages if anyone would like tojoin us or give it a try (first twosessions free), get fit, newfriends, no experience neces-sary, more the merrier.

U16s & U14sGIRLS

Just a reminder that the Girl’s Under14’s and Under 16’s have entered theLeague which began on 11 March.All age groups are currently recruitingand welcome new player’s. No previ-ous experience is required and we aresure anyone becoming involved willgain a lot, besides keeping fit andhealthy, you will make new friendsand enjoy a varied social life. Themore the merrier!

Yorkshire Junior League Division OneLeague Table - to Sat 8 April 2017

#ForeverATeam

Important game against Kippax…Fantastic week's training by the lads! Always difficult during the holidays to getthe lads to be dedicated and turn up to training with the correct attitude but allcredit to all who turned up and put a real shift in.

This Sunday we are at home to Kippax, Kick Off is confirmed for 11:30am , soplease can all lads meet at the club for 10:15am.

Let's have a Big Vocal crowd please and really get behind the team this for thisimportant fixture this weekend. Other fixtures scheduled in Division One thisweekend: on 8 April, Lock Lane are at home to Stanningley, Milford Marlins arehome to Siddal, and Shaw Cross are hosts to Batley. Theonly Sunday fixture ishere at West Leeds against Kippax.

Fixture’s, events, FundRaising and Announce-

ments

What's OnWith Donna

Tobitt

This WeekendThis weekend, Saturday and Sunday of 8 and 9 April,then following fixtures are scheduled:

Fixture’s for Saturday U7s home to Shaw cross KO10.30U9s away at Garforth KO 11.30U11s home to Thornhill KO 11.00U13s home to Siddal KO 12.00U15s away at Hemsworth KO 12.00.

Two Important Date’s in AprilTwo events are scheduled for the month of April. Onthe Monday 10, The Refereeing Modified Games willbe held here at West Leeds, these begin at 6.30 pm,while on Thursday, 27. Coaching and refereeing Gamesare at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, beginning at 6 pm.

ARMED FORCES DAYSaturday, 24 June we host The Armed Forces DayEvent here at West Leeds, please pencil this importantdate into your diaries.

Ambassador FestivalAugust see’s two Rhino’s Ambassador Festival Eventstaking place.

The first, on Sunday 13 at Hunslet for the Under 10’s,11’s and 12’s girl’s where Rugby Am will also be inattendance. And on Sunday 20, at Kirkstall for themini’s 7’s, 8’s and 9’s.

MEMORIAL DAYOn Saturday 2 September, we have our Memorial Dayevent here at West Leeds. So pencil this into yourdiaries, as it is a date not to be missed.We will, of course, bring you more information, fix-ture’s and posters, plus add other news as we near theseevents and dates.

#ForeverATeam

OXYGEN GROUPFinally, any group’s wishing to book Oxygen Group,please use the code LEEDSRHINOS to get twentyper cent discount. Spread the word in your groups,this is great for parties.

West Leeds Eagle’s ARLFC extend their sincerethanks to the following for their sponsorship and

SupportPLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

#ForeverATeam

CLUB SHOPSome merchandise can bebought direct from theclub shop…more detailslater:

Here is the link:

https://www.steedensports.com/club-shop/west-leeds-arlfc?viewall

West Leeds Eagle’s ARLFC extend their sincerethanks to the following for their sponsorship and

SupportPLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

Important NoticeWith the new campaign under way we feel that it is important that everyone in attendance of our gamesthis year should please take note and read the new Yorkshire Juniors Rugby League Rules on ZeroTolerance.

Not only will you be reported as a parent/spectator, but we as a Team/Club will face disciplinary actionand potentially Fines/Touch Line Bans.

So, not only will you spoil it for yourselves but let's not spoil it for the lads who have worked so hardto be where they are this season. If you have any issues on match days, please feel free to speak to oneof the club officials. Enjoy the game and voice your support by all mean’s, but please respect others.Thank you

A reminder…