On Wednesday afternoon, the Civic Hall in Leeds played host to a special celebration honoring the achievements of the Leeds Rhinos Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) team, as the community came together to mark the official launch of the 2025 season.
The event, organized by Councillor Simon Brown, Mayor of Morley and current Leeds Rhinos PDRL Coach, underscored the growing impact of Physical Disability Rugby League and its role in promoting inclusivity in sport.
Since being elected Mayor in May 2024, Councillor Brown has been a passionate advocate for accessible sports, drawing on his own remarkable journey with the team.
A former Leeds Rhinos PDRL player, Simon led the team to victory in the UK’s inaugural PDRL match in 2018 and guided them to become national champions in 2022 with a thrilling golden-point extra-time win over Wakefield. Under his leadership, several players have also gone on to represent the England PDRL Community Lions squad.
The Civic Hall event not only celebrated the team’s accomplishments but also served as the official launch of the 2025 PDRL season, which will kick off this April in Leeds. It highlighted the strong partnership between Leeds City Council and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, showcasing their shared commitment to fostering inclusivity and opportunity through sport.
As part of his mayoral mission, Councillor Brown has chosen to support two charities close to his heart: the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Blind Veterans UK. Reflecting on the event, he said:
“As Mayor of Morley, I wanted to give back to the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, which has had such a profound impact on my life. My goal was to make the PDRL team feel special, to show them that their efforts matter and that they are valued in our city. There’s no better advocate for that than the Lord Mayor. This event was also a platform for disabled individuals in Leeds to share their stories and inspire others.”
The celebration featured an inspiring lineup of speakers, including Lord Mayor Abigail Marshall Katung, Leeds Rhinos Foundation CEO Bob Bowman QPM, and PDRL player James King. Each speaker emphasized the transformative power of sport and the importance of community support in creating opportunities for all.
Lord Mayor Abigail Marshall Katung praised the team’s contributions, stating:
“Sport should be for everyone, and today’s event highlights the incredible opportunities available in Leeds for people of all abilities to get involved, push boundaries, and achieve their goals. You represent our city with immense pride, and we are truly grateful. We cannot wait to see what the 2025 season brings.”
With the Leeds Rhinos Foundation approaching its 20th anniversary, the event reinforced the charity’s mission to Change Lives Through the Power of Sport. CEO Bob Bowman QPM reflected on the Foundation’s journey with PDRL:
“I was thrilled in 2018 when the opportunity arose to create a Physical Disability Rugby League team. Since then, I’ve developed a deep admiration for this group and their unwavering passion for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation. Our goal is to ensure more people have the chance to play our game. We see no limits to this work—we want it to grow, improve, and involve as many people as possible.”
The event not only celebrated the past achievements of the Leeds Rhinos PDRL team but also set the stage for an exciting 2025 season, further solidifying Leeds’ reputation as a city that champions inclusivity and opportunity for all.
