Edinburgh Giants Wheelchair Rugby League Club is delighted to announce a partnership with Leeds Rhinos Foundation as part of each club’s commitment to growing the sport.
Partnering with the foundation is a massive step to building the foundations for the long-term success of the club. Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair Squad are coming off the back of winning their third Wheelchair Challenge Cup, and have a wealth of experienced players including World Cup winners Nathan Collins and Tom Halliwell. The partnership has a deeper connection as well in Giants Chairman and Head Coach, Martyn Gill.
Martyn was introduced to the sport in 2013, where he became the Head Coach of Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair RL Team and fell in love with the game. In less than three years, Martyn’s Rhinos squad went from wooden spoon contenders to challenging for the Championship in the Grand Final. Our Chairmans time at the Rhinos has undoubtably put the pieces in place for the Rhinos recent success, and the partnership is sure to carry his legacy into his new venture with the Giants. Here is what he had to say:
‘We are excited to be partnering with Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair. It will help our players develop and learn from some of the best in the sport who have been there and achieved a lot both domestically and internationally.’
So, what does partnership mean for the Giants? We are now linked with one of the most recognised and successful Wheelchair RL Clubs in the world, which is a position that we aspire to be in one day and will learn as much as we can from Leeds. Opportunities will open up for the club to grow exponentially, with unique chances for player development, club exposure and the potential for the club to gain recognition outside of local territories. It truly is a statement of intent from both clubs. We are a brand new club, and to be given an opportunity to have an association with an established outfit such as Leeds before our first ever game has even been played shows the ambition that we have as a club to grow, to compete and to put the club as well as the sport on the map! From the Rhinos point of view, the venture is a no brainer. It is clear to see what is being built here in the capital is something special, from the Social Media presence to the calibre of players we are attracting, and to be able to be a part of that will hopefully help Leeds grow even further in time as well.
As a club we have already managed to introduce so many new people to the sport of Wheelchair Rugby League. From what started as a vision inspired by the Wheelchair Tournament of the Rugby League World Cup, to preparing for the opening games of the inaugural Scottish Premiership, we are delighted to be playing our part in the growth of the game. To be competitive, it is crucial that we are collaborative, and we are beyond grateful for the willingness of Leeds Rhinos to collaborate with us. The opportunities that our squad will benefit from due to this partnership will pave the way for the growth of the Edinburgh Giants, the National Team, and the sport of Wheelchair Rugby League in Scotland and beyond. Our Club is inclusive, as is our sport, and we are in the early stages of writing our own history and creating a legacy. Be part of the journey and strive for greatness as Edinburgh take a GIANT step towards success by partnering with one of the worlds great clubs, the Leeds Rhinos.
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