LDSL stars ready for York & Salford festivals

The Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League (LDSL) returns to action this weekend (Saturday 20th July) and next (Saturday 27 July), with two regional playing festivals hosted by York RLFC Foundation and Salford Red Devils Foundation respectively.

With over 400 players expected to turn out from across an impressive 19 clubs, this marks the penultimate playing festival before the programme’s key role at Magic Weekend, where LDSL exhibition games will be played on both days, taking place at half time of Wigan Warriors vs St Helens on Saturday 17th August, and half time of Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR on Sunday 18th August.

LDSL festivals are a special showcase of the pioneering programme that is leading the way in learning disability sport – providing a welcoming playing experience for clubs across their respective regions to come together, catch up with friends and celebrate their successes.

Organised by the RFL in association with Community Integrated Care, this adapted, non-competitive version of rugby league enables players to represent the clubs that they love on the biggest stages, tackle exclusion and also enable independence of participants off the field.

Providing significant investment, resources, specialist training and skills, Community Integrated Care and Rugby Football League shared vision of using the power of Rugby League to change lives, this specially designed programme has since engaged over 400 players within the sport.

Lewis Webster, Sports Inclusion Communications Manager at Community Integrated Care says, “After starring at Anfield and St James’s Park in recent years, the players are really looking forward to making their debut at Elland Road in Leeds – and these festivals hosted by Salford Red Devils Foundation and York RLFC Foundation ahead of Magic are sure to ramp up this excitement!

“Best of luck to all the participants and coaches ahead these two showcase events in the rugby league calendar. Enjoy it and look out for one another!”

Chris Godfrey, RFL National Inclusion Manager, adds: “Learning Disability Rugby League is a truly inspirational version of the game, and our thanks go to Community Integrated Care and the York and Salford foundations for people to enjoy playing Rugby League.”

Timings and Venues

With free entry and parking on site for both festivals, the rugby league community are encouraged to attend and show their support.

York RLFC Foundation
Date: Saturday 20^th July, 2024
Timing: 11am start
Venue: York St John, Haxby Road, York, Y0318TA

Salford Red Devils Foundation
Date: Saturday 27^th July, 2024
Timing: TBC
Venue: TBC

The 19 clubs involved in the 2024 Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League season are: Barrow Raiders, Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax Panthers, Hull FC, Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos, Leigh Leopards, Newcastle Thunder, Rochdale Hornets, Salford Red Devils, Sheffield Eagles, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves, Widnes Vikings, Wigan Warriors, York Knights.

For anyone interested in joining their local side, please click here to find out more.