By Spy Uganda
YORK’s new partnership with Rugby League Uganda – with a focus on the Under 16 game – has been described as “the biggest step to the promised land”.
York Valkyrie this morning announced financial and resource-driven support for the sport in the African nation, with an academy to be established for young men’s and women’s players.
The York Valkyrie are the women’s rugby league team of York RLFC based in York, England.
“The hope is that we will see Ugandan players representing the Knights and the Valkyrie at some point in the future,” said Valkyrie director of rugby Lindsay Anfield.
Fortunate Irankunda, founder of The Whales Rugby League Academy Uganda, was quoted in a statement as saying: “Having a partnership with York RLFC is the biggest step to the promised land”.
Explaining the partnership, Anfield said: “We will be observing and supporting the player development programmes in Uganda and up-skilling coaches through face-to-face and online mentoring and education.
“We will do this alongside supporting the Club Championship Programme which will feed into the National Academy.”
Rugby League Uganda president Geno Daniel offered: “I’m thrilled that York RLFC 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.”
