Leeds Rhinos set up partnership with rugby league in Nigeria
Club will help establish coaching clinics both in the African nation and among the city's Nigerian community
LEEDS Rhinos have got on board with rugby league in Nigeria – and they may not be the only Super League team to do so.
And the Rhinos will feature in the African country as the team in Lagos is being named after them.
SunSport told how former London Broncos player Ade Adebisi has fought for two years to get the 13-a-side game a foothold in the nation, without earning any money.
Now after the Middle East and African Championship was announced as being held there, Leeds have partnered with the Nigerian federation.
And there is a chance kids there could be spotted and brought through to there or clubs in the area, following in the footsteps of Nigeria-born Muizz Mustapha.
Leeds will also run coaching clinics both in Nigeria and in the West Yorkshire city’s African community.
Adebisi said: “It is hard to process everything that's going on at the moment with rugby league in Nigeria.
“We are doing some good work internationally to try and find tune a better structure.
“Not only have we partnered with Leeds Rhinos, we’ve also finalised our partnership with Ballympics, which I think is a huge deal for international rugby league and Nigeria.
“Not only do they bring in much-needed expertise in securing sponsorship opportunities, this is going to be a long-lasting relationship with a commitment to develop our new national league in an NFL style conference system with play-off finals.”
The partnership with Leeds has also been well received by the Nigerian community in the city.
Victoria Ajayi, chair of Nigerian Community Leeds said: “The Nigerian Community Leeds (NCL) is pleased to partner with Nigeria Rugby League (NRL) and Leeds Rhinos to provide opportunities for nurturing young Nigerian talents, with the ultimate objective of developing their skills to the level of being able to play for Leeds Rhinos and at national and international levels.”
A Leeds spokesman added: “Ade Adebisi has shown a tremendous commitment to get this project up and running and we will offer our resources and expertise in helping him achieve his vision.
“We already have a pathway player in our first team squad with Nigerian heritage in Muizz Mustapha, who hopefully can be a role model for aspiring young players.”
