The History of Schools' Rugby League in Leeds

Having lived most of his life in the shadow of the Headingley ground, and played the sport at junior school, Steve Boothroyd has been a fan of rugby league since childhood. On taking up his first teaching post in 1977, he began his schools’ rugby league coaching career, which would encompass Leeds City Boys and Yorkshire U13s, alongside boys’ and, later, girls’ teams in his own schools. His 37-year teaching career took him from middle school French teacher, to primary school headteacher. His schools’ rugby league journey took him into refereeing and administration at local and national level, as well as District Coach in the National Coaching Scheme. Since retiring he has researched the history of the schools’ game in Leeds, resulting in this book and the accompanying website https://leedsandhunsletsrl.wixsite.com/mysite-4 . He has written articles for Forty20 Magazine and Rugby League Journal, and contributes regularly to the Hunslet RLFC website on the subject of schools’ rugby league. In his younger days, Steve was an active member of the Leeds RL Supporters’ Club, serving as chairman of Headingley Grounds Branch which produced the club’s annual handbook in the late 1970s. Currently, he supports the work of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation: as a member of the Heritage Group, as a volunteer at the “In Touch” and “Sporting Memories” groups, and as a facilitator for the Learning Disability Team. Steve is a founding member of North Leeds Leopards RLFC and represents schools on the Leeds & District Heritage Committee and the RFL Council.