Key Point
- Fourth-Time Winner: Leeds Rhinos Foundation has secured the prestigious Rugby League’s Foundation of the Year award for the fourth time following an exceptional twelve months of community impact.
- Record Engagement: The charity achieved record numbers of youth engagement, led by its flagship Rugby League Development project and the annual Rhinos Challenge involving 1,400 junior players.
- Tackling Wider Social Issues: Key initiatives addressed NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) rates with partners Checkatrade and Leeds City College, alongside online safety and mental fitness programs like Respect with the Rhinos, Ahead of the Game, and Offload.
- Environmental and Health Innovation: Backed by National Lottery funding, the ‘Try for Tomorrow’ program launched to educate 200 schools on climate change, while Flutter-supported health schemes targeted weight management, Parkinson’s, and dementia.
- Inclusive Sports Growth: Inclusion programs flourished, including junior PDRL Tryz sessions, the Wheelchair Development squad, and the Learning Disability team playing at Magic Weekend and AMT Headingley with Engie’s support.
- Mass Participation Events: Fundraising initiatives like the Leeds Big Sleep, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, and the Leeds 10k inspired widespread public backing.
- Leadership Recognition: CEO Bob Bowman and Board Chair Dr Mariana Pexton praised the dedication of staff, trustees, volunteers, and the ongoing backing of Leeds Rhinos since the foundation’s formation in 2005.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) October 6, 2026 —The Leeds Rhinos Foundation has been officially awarded the Rugby League’s Foundation of the Year accolade following another outstanding twelve months of charitable service and community outreach. Recognised extensively for the wide-ranging developmental and social support it delivers across the region, this marks the fourth time the charity has claimed the coveted title.
The past year has witnessed record numbers of young people engaging directly with the charity’s initiatives. Chief among these is the flagship Rugby League Development project, which remains dedicated to refining the skills of players, coaches, and referees while actively supporting the sustainable growth of the sport across local clubs, schools, and colleges. Complementing this, the annual Rhinos Challenge successfully brought together 1,400 junior players to participate in dedicated Rugby League and Netball festivals held across two action-packed weekends.
What social, health, and environmental initiatives drove the charity’s success?
Beyond traditional sporting metrics, the charity has spearheaded vital projects targeting pressing societal challenges. Addressing the rising number of young people not in employment or education, the foundation collaborated strategically with partners Checkatrade and Leeds City College to create practical pathways for positive employment impact.
Concurrently, the newly established Respect with the Rhinos project introduced a weekly primary school delivery model designed to teach young people essential lessons regarding online safety and positive role models. Mental fitness programs such as Ahead of the Game and Offload have continued to equip individuals with the practical tools required to safeguard their mental wellbeing.
Environmental stewardship also took centre stage. Thanks to critical funding from National Lottery players, the foundation rolled out the ‘Try for Tomorrow’ social impact program. This educational initiative tackles climate change by delivering interactive sessions focused on food, energy, transport, waste, nature, and water to 200 local schools.
Health and wellbeing services, backed by partners Flutter, further bolstered the community profile. Offerings such as the Try Club weight management course, weekly physical activity sessions tailored for people living with Parkinson’s, and the In Touch Dementia group provided safe, structured outlets for individuals navigating significant health hurdles.
How has the foundation expanded sports inclusion and community fundraising?
The organisation’s core commitment to ensuring Rugby League remains fully inclusive for all participants has fueled the dramatic growth of its inclusion teams. More young people are now actively participating through junior PDRL Tryz sessions and the Wheelchair Development squad. Meanwhile, the Learning Disability team enjoyed increased participation numbers, including memorable matchday experiences such as playing at Magic Weekend and AMT Headingley, supported by partners Engie.
Community generosity also reached new heights over the past year. Dedicated fundraising initiatives, including the Leeds Big Sleep, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, and the Leeds 10k, inspired a greater number of citizens to give back to the region.
Reflecting on the achievement, Bob Bowman, CEO of Leeds Rhinos Foundation, expressed profound gratitude. As stated by Bob Bowman, CEO of Leeds Rhinos Foundation:
“Staff, trustees, volunteers, friends, and supporters of Leeds Rhinos Foundation are delighted to be announced as the 2026 RFL Foundation of the Year.”
Detailing the driving force behind the charity, Bob Bowman added:
“First, I would like to pay immense tribute to my staff team – a talented, passionate, and dedicated group of people who continuously drive our purpose of Changing Lives Through the Power of Sport.”
Highlighting the structural integrity and long-standing partnerships underpinning the organisation, Bob Bowman noted:
“Governance of the Foundation is excellent. Dr Mariana Pexton chairs a board that provides high challenge and high support encouraging us all to strive for excellence.”
Reflecting on the club’s historical ties, Bob Bowman continued:
“Leeds Rhinos Foundation was formed in 2005 and throughout our journey, support from Leeds Rhinos has been unwavering, we are blessed to have this level of support which truly helps us deliver to the quality that we do.”
Looking ahead to future challenges, Bob Bowman concluded:
“We have strong ambitions to grow and deliver even more services that get people into Sport and Physical activity, we will continue to help reduce health inequalities, too many young people are NEET and we want to be a part of that solution, and we will strive to achieve all this and more through strong partnerships and collaboration with existing and future partners.”
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Background of the Development
The Leeds Rhinos Foundation was established in 2005 as the official charity arm of the Leeds Rhinos professional rugby league club, operating out of AMT Headingley Stadium. Over the past two decades, the foundation has evolved from a localized sports promotion initiative into a multi-faceted community development enterprise.
By leveraging the profile, ethos, and professional network of the Rhinos, the charity has systematically expanded its scope beyond athletic coaching into critical public sector domains, including formal education, public health interventions, environmental education, and workforce readiness. This holistic model aligns with broader national strategies across the United Kingdom to utilize professional sports clubs as engines for social cohesion, preventative health, and regional resilience.
Prediction on Future Impact
This latest national recognition is expected to significantly bolster the foundation’s capacity to secure future corporate sponsorships, grant funding, and community partnerships. For the local community—particularly children, families, disadvantaged youth, and vulnerable demographic groups across Leeds—this development signals an expanded pipeline of accessible sports, mental health, and educational programs.
With CEO Bob Bowman signaling a dedicated push to combat regional health inequalities and youth unemployment (NEET rates), local participants stand to benefit from more targeted, well-funded intervention programs. Consequently, schools, grassroots sports clubs, and healthcare cohorts can anticipate a stronger network of institutional support designed to improve physical activity levels, foster social inclusion, and build long-term personal resilience.
