Leeds United Foundation recently helped to support and deliver a sports festival for young females in conjunction with Leeds Beckett University.

Using the world-class facilities at the campus based in Headingly for a full-day event, over 200 girls from local schools were invited to attend and participate in various sports throughout the day.

All of the students were aged from 11 to 16 with the various taster sessions being lead by coaches from the club’s official charity along with coaches from Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire County Cricket. There were a number of different sports on offer during the day including; football, American football, rugby, cricket, basketball and disability goal ball.

At this year’s event there was a big emphasis on there being a pathway for each sport being showcased – so for any of the youngsters that participated in the sessions, the option to continue was open to them with further information available. 

Lucas the Kop Cat was also in attendance at the festival along with Beckett Bear, with the two even facing off against each other in a competitive 100m race.

Jess Douthwaite, Women and Girls Officer for the Leeds United Foundation, said: "Every year we take part in this festival and every year it gets bigger and better, it's great to have so many girls taking part in so many sports in one location.

“I definitely think that it helps to break down the barriers girls often face when wanting to take part in sport, the festival is an end of year celebration of girls participation and it definitely helps inspire and empower young females to want to continue in their sporting journeys."