York partnership creates pathway for Ugandan players to Knights, Valkyrie
York are the latest English club to form a partnership with a developing African nation and hope to eventually have Ugandan players represent the Knights and Valkyrie.
The Minster City club will provide financial and material resources to help develop players and coaches in Uganda, with the program overseen by Valkyrie women’s head coach Lindsey Anfield.
The agreement will see the establishment of the York-RLU academy in Uganda to establish a formal pathway for male and female players from U16s upwards.
The partnership follows the previous outreach work done by Anfield with the community.
A York RLU academy will be established in Uganda
“We are delighted to launch this partnership supporting the development of rugby league in Uganda,” said Anfield.
“There is already great work going on and we look forward to continuing to raise the profile of the sport across the country as well as contributing to the success of their national team.
“We will be observing and supporting the player development programmes in Uganda and upskilling coaches through face-to-face and online mentoring and education.
"We will do this alongside supporting their club championship programme which will feed into the national academy.
“The hope is we will see Ugandan players representing the Knights and the Valkyrie at some point in the future, we look forward to close collaboration with their performance staff, along with our club identity being embedded across the nation.”
York's LNER Community Stadium hosted RLWC2021 Women's matches (Getty Images)
Geno Daniel, president of Rugby League Uganda, said: “I'm thrilled that York are going to become a part of the Rugby League Uganda family where they will offer a unique talent identification, development, and education programme for our players.
"Our partnership highlights the federation's capacity to draw prestigious sports companies and brands from around the globe to work with us.”
The partnership between York and Uganda follows similar arrangements between Leeds Rhinos and Kenya Rugby League Federation, Hull FC and Nigeria Rugby League, and Salford Reds and Rugby League Federation Ghana.
Fortunate Irankunda, the founder of The Whales Rugby League Academy Uganda, said: "Having a partnership with York RLFC is the biggest step to the promised land. It's like an athlete's journey to the long-awaited gold medal."
York RLFC Chairman Clint Goodchild added: "This Club's legacy reaches far beyond the wins and losses on the field of play. We wish to create opportunities, provide support and encourage everyone regardless of their location, gender or economic environment.
"Rugby league is a game for all and at York RLFC we are committed to having a positive impact in communities both at home and abroad."
