Hello, Hunslet Club Community!
Welcome to our March/ April newsletter, your go-to source for all things happening at the Hunslet Club. As we dive into Easter season, let’s take a moment to reflect on the fantastic events and achievements of our community.
The Hunslet Club’s Easter party was a fantastic success and our biggest Easter event to date, bringing joy and excitement to the community. The Easter egg hunt was a hit, with children eagerly hunting for hidden treasures. The Easter bonnet parade displayed an array of beautifully decorated hats, showcasing creativity and fun. Face painting transformed kids into delightful Easter characters, adding to the festive atmosphere. The arts and crafts station was bustling with activity, as children crafted unique and imaginative Easter decorations. The event not only provided entertainment but also promoted a strong sense of community spirit. Overall, it was a memorable day filled with laughter and celebration and encapsulated what our Club is about, community spirit.
Burberry Inspires is an innovative educational initiative launched by the British luxury fashion brand Burberry. The programme is designed to encourage creativity and self-expression among young people through the arts. It partners with various schools and cultural institutions to provide students with access to high-quality arts education, including experiences in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts.
The initiative aims to nurture talent, inspire confidence, and broaden the horizons of young participants by exposing them to diverse artistic disciplines. By collaborating with youth organisations on the ground, like us, Burberry Inspires seeks to make a meaningful impact on young peoples educational journeys and personal development, promoting a new generation of creative thinkers and innovators.
As part of our Burberry Inspires initiative we have launched ‘The Hunslet Fashion Project’, within The Hunslet Club Youth Club that teaches young people about sustainability in fashion while promoting creativity, individuality, and confidence. This project focuses on educating our young people about the environmental impacts of fashion and the importance of sustainable practices. Through hands-on sessions each week, our young people will learn to recycle, reuse and repurpose old garments, whilst designing and creating their own unique pieces putting sustainable fashion practices in action.
Creativity is at the project’s core, encouraging our young fashion designers to express their unique styles and visions. Guided by experienced mentors, young people will experiment with fabrics, textures, and colours to create innovative and sustainable fashion pieces. This process not only enhances their design skills but also boosts their confidence.
The Hunslet Fashion Project empowers our young people by providing them with the knowledge and tools to make conscious fashion choices whilst giving them a sense of accomplishment as they see their creations come to life. This initiative is a testament to The Club’s commitment to both sustainability and youth development.
Our 12 week programme will work towards ‘The Hunslet Fashion Show’ in June, an end of project finale that will showcase all our young peoples hard work and show the educational journey our young people will go on.
Here at The Hunslet Club and Hunslet ARLFC, we run Rugby Camps every school holiday. Our camps provide young players with the opportunity to stay active, develop their skills, and deepen their passion for the sport. These camps offer structured coaching sessions led by experienced coaches, allowing players to learn new techniques, improve their game, and build confidence in a fun and supportive environment. Our Rugby camps also provide a valuable opportunity for players to make new friends, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and gain a sense of belonging within the rugby community. By running camps during the school holidays, we ensure that young players have access to high-quality coaching and support year-round, helping them to reach their full potential, both in the sport and in their life.
Our April Easter School Holiday Rugby Camp was special among others for our young players as we visited The Halliwell Jones Stadium to watch the Warrington Wolves first team captains run ahead of their game against our home team Leeds Rhino’s at the beginning of this month.
Our young rugby players got to watch the first team train, run drills and go through their game-plan and afterwards got to meet and greet the players and coach, the rugby league legend Sam Burgess.
Burgess told the young rugby enthusiasts about his Hunslet Parkside roots and his fond memories of playing and coming up in our inner-city suburb, Hunslet. Our young players found this fascinating and were truly inspired by this. There was a ‘If he can, why can’t we’ attitude and this is what our rugby camps are all about. Inspiring our young people in many ways but especially through sports!
Burgess was endearing and humble and we can’t thank him, The Warrington Wolves first team and the Warrington Wolves Foundation enough for hosting us and supporting our charity.
As a charity we are dedicated to enriching and empowering our young players and giving them the skills and opportunities to thrive and achieve their full potential. Our rugby camps are accessible and affordable to all young people despite financial circumstances. All funds raised through ticket sales go back into our charity to enable us to continue to help all young people in our area.
Our next trip will see us take our young players to watch the Leeds Rhino’s captains run at Headingley Stadium, we are then heading to The Climbing Lab in Leeds for a bouldering session to challenge our young players to try something new but also have fun!
We are so excited to be able to offer these experiences to ALL aspiring young rugby players from ages 6-12 from South Leeds and surrounding areas. To inspire and ignite passion and to have fun and enjoy the sport with likeminded young people.
Our next School Holiday Rugby Activity Camp will run May Thursday 30th until Friday 31st May. Tickets are limited and are first come, first served and will be on sale via our website from Monday 1st May. All money raised via ticket sales go back into The Hunslet Club charity to help us continue helping young people achieve their full potential.
This month we shine a spotlight on success on The Hunslet Rogues and their April Showcase.
We embarked on a captivating journey with The Hunslet Rogues as they proudly presented their latest showcase which was made up of 4 separate performances. Alice’s in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet, Schools out, and An Inspector Calls.
We got to Immerse ourselves in a kaleidoscope of emotions, where every scene unfolded with precision and passion. From enchanting classics with a twist, to tales of love to thought-provoking dramas that delved into the depths of the human experience. Our talented theatre group promised an unforgettable experience and as always, they didn’t disappoint. With a blend of fantasy, love, tragedy, and everything in between, they transported the audience to worlds both familiar and fantastical. We were all enthralled, entertained, and moved by the magic of live theatre.
Our talented theatre group worked tirelessly to bring our South Leeds community a performance to remember and they achieved what they set out to do, we are so proud of their hard work and achievements year on year, we can’t wait to see what you do next.
We’d also like to shine light on our Majorettes section ‘The Hunslet Solitaires’ who competed in their first competition of the year. Each competing age group got 2nd place and we are so proud of their hard work and dedication to this section. This month they also hosted their home competition which was a great day for The Club as we welcomed troupes from all over the country to Hunslet.
The Hunslet Club is thrilled to announce that it has been named Community Club of the Year 2024 at The Leeds Sports Awards. This prestigious award recognises The Club’s outstanding contributions to the local community and its commitment to promoting sports, health, and well-being among people of all ages but especially young people.
Established in 1940, The Hunslet Club has become a cornerstone of the community, offering a wide range of sports, arts, and recreational activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. From Rugby and Football to Boxing, Dance, Gymnastics and Drama, The club provides a safe and supportive environment where people can come together, stay active, and learn new skills.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive this award,” said Dennis Robbins, CEO of The Hunslet Club. “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and members, who work tirelessly to make The Hunslet Club a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone in the community.”
In addition to its sports and recreational programs, The Hunslet Club also plays a vital role in the community by offering educational and personal development opportunities for young people, as well as hosting seasonal community events providing a safe and inclusive place for the whole community to come together.
“We are proud to be a part of the Leeds community, and we are committed to continuing our work to help all young people achieve their full potential, no matter their financial circumstances.” said Robbins. “This award is a testament to the positive impact that The Hunslet Club has had on the community over the past 84 years, and we look forward to many more years of serving the people of Leeds.”
Interested in volunteering or becoming a member of the Hunslet Club? We’d love to have you join our vibrant community! Visit our website or stop by The Club to learn more about how you can get involved.
Follow this link to donate any amount small or large to our registered charity. We rely on the kindness of donations to be able to help every young person that we encounter at The Club, reach their full potential.
Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and announcements and to see what goes on daily at The Hunslet Club.
As always a huge THANK YOU for your continued support and participation. Together, we’re building a happier, healthier, and more connected community here at the Hunslet Club. We wouldn’t be us, without you!
Until next time, The Hunslet Club Team.
