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Name: Jonny Wainhouse
Place of Birth: Leeds
Job Title: Leeds Rhinos Community Development Officer
Nickname: Lucky Legs
Best thing about your job: Influencing the next generation
What is your motto? To do everything to the best of my ability
Interesting fact about you: I can do the splits
About Jonny
I started playing rugby at the age of 5 at Pudsey ARLFC and I then moved to Milford. I was signed for the Leeds Rhinos Academy and spent four years coming through the Rhinos Academy systems under the influence of Daryl Powell, Mick Cook and Stuart Wilkinson. I currently play for Hunslet Hawks and in 2006 I represented Great Britain Students in France.
About Jonny’s project
Through my role as Community Development Officer I work with a number of schools and clubs in and around the Leeds area. I help introduce and develop Rugby League and aim to improve good School and Club links. I also deliver Healthy Lifestyle Assemblies in schools, alongside Ronnie the Rhino, to help encourage children to lead positive lifestyles.
To learn more about the Rhinos work in schools click here
Jonny.wainhouse@leedsrugby.com
Name: Laura Jayne Clarke
Place of Birth: St Helier, Jersey, Chanel Islands
Job Title: Women and Girls Rugby Development Officer
Nickname: Clarkey
Best thing about your job: The people I get to work with
What is your motto? Everything happens for a reason
Interesting Fact About you: I was meant to be tall!!
About Laura
I live in sunny Huddersfield and was brought up in a Rugby League family environment. In my spare time I play Rugby League and enjoy reading and one day I would love to live abroad.
About Laura’s project
In my job at Leeds Rhinos I aim to improve the opportunities for girls wanting to play Rugby League and the image and attitude towards women’s Rugby League. I really enjoy my job as it gives me the opportunity to have fun and meet new people as well as helping to provide a long term pathway for girls playing Rugby League.
To learn more about Laura’s work click here
Name: Gareth Cook
Place of Birth: Leeds
Job Title: Rhinos Development Officer
Nick Name: Cookie
Best thing about your job: Making rugby a positive experience for everyone
What is your motto? Who dares wins!
Interesting fact about you: I have a metal plate and seven screws in my ankle
About Gareth
Gareth Cook has recently joined the Rhinos community team having spent 3 years with sister club Leeds Carnegie as Community Development Officer. Previous to this, Gareth worked with the RFU as a Rugby Community Coach.
Gareth’s transition to the Leeds Rhinos community team brings opportunity for Gareth to work on a variety of projects as well as delivering coaching to primary and secondary schools and also deliver a coach education programme to teachers across the Leeds and district area.
Name: Nigel O’Flaherty Johnson
Job Title: Rhinos Community Development Manager
What is your motto? A day without laughter is a day wasted
Interesting Fact About you: I used to have hair!
About Nigel:
Before joining the Leeds Community team I enjoyed a playing career with both Bradford and Eastmour. I then moved behind the scenes of the game, becoming involved in the development side. I worked with Ireland as the RFL Development Officer, before moving to Bradford Bulls to become their National Development Officer. I joined Leeds in 2006 as Community Development Manager.
About your project
I head up the re-engage project, which focuses on engaging young disaffected people between the ages of 14 and 16, using sport and the profile of the club. Once engaged on the project, the young person will be given the opportunity to learn and put into practice skills as a Sports Coach and Leader. One of our aims will be to provide valuable life experiences, including, working with others from many different backgrounds. The Leeds Rhinos staff will reinforce the positive messages and experiences of the young people, building their confidence and self esteem and supporting them at every level through their time on the project. In addition, through a mixture of formal classroom activities and real live activity sessions involving local primary school children, each individual will have the opportunity to realise his or her potential.
The young people are given a Leeds Rhinos kit before their first visit as coaches in a Primary School, they get a behind-the-scenes tour of Headingley Carnegie Stadium and a group trip to watch the Rhinos in action in the Super League. The programme is delivered from the Leeds Rugby Academy, where the young people will brush shoulders with the Rhinos and Leeds Carnegie first team players.
Nigel.johnston@leedsrugby .com