Why Leeds Rhinos are backing new national rugby league museum in Huddersfield

The sport’s birthplace was confirmed this week as the venue for the attraction, in a partnership between Kirklees Council and Rugby League Cares. Leeds City Council and Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s heritage committee have welcomed the decision, despite initial hopes of the museum being located in their city. Council leader councillor Judith Blake said: “Any city, or town, would be delighted to have the opportunity to host the National Rugby League Museum, none more so than Leeds. “But as soon as we were aware our friends in Kirklees have earmarked the spiritual birthplace of rugby league, the George Hotel, we, Leeds Rhinos, Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds City Council [were] determined to not only get behind their bid, but also to say we would be delighted to assist them in achieving their aims.” Phil Caplan, chairman of Rhinos Foundation’s heritage group, added: “The George Hotel is the prime location for the museum, not least with its proximity to the rugby league’s official archive at nearby Heritage Quay at Huddersfield University. “While Leeds - which is the home of a foundation club and ground at Emerald Headingley Stadium, a semi-professional club in Hunslet with some of the richest history and community offerings throughout the city and its region - could have offered a wonderful home, we are fully supportive of the plan to take the sport back to where it all began in 1895. That is right, fitting and appropriate.” At a meeting at the George Hotel in August, 1895, clubs in Yorkshire and Lancashire agreed to break away from the Rugby Football Union to form their own rival code. Initially known as Northern Union, it became rugby league in 1922. The George Hotel, closed since 2013, has been purchased by Kirklees Council as part of a plan to make the museum the focal point of a multi-million pound redevelopment of Huddersfield town centre. A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper. Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes- from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead. For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email subscriptions@jpimedia.co.uk or call us on 0330 4033004 Thank you Laura Collins Editor READ MORE: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777

By George - why Leeds dropped bid to stage new national rugby league museum