Leeds Rhinos Super League Champions
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- Created on Monday, 17 October 2011 10:40
Leeds Rhinos’ recent Super League Grand Final victory attracted global support from a group of rugby league novices.
International boarders from Fulneck School, Leeds’ leading independent school, made the pilgrimage to Old Trafford to see Leeds triumph over St Helens. The group of rugby league converts were made up of students from Germany, Hong Kong, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The trip was organised by teacher Daniel Thomas who said: “I’ve been taking the students to rugby fixtures at Headingley for a while now, so as soon as Leeds reached the final they were desperate to get there.
“At Fulneck we aim to give all our students a fully rounded experience both in and out the classroom. For our international boarders in particular this involves introducing them to all aspects of life in this country and rugby league has proved to be a particular favourite of many of our boarders.”
Among those to make the trans-Pennine journey was 15-year-old Matthew Leung who has become a passionate Rhinos follower since arriving at Fulneck from Hong Kong in September 2010.
He said: “The Rhinos played really well and the atmosphere was fantastic.”
Matthew was joined at the game by Hasan Abdulfatah from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, who was enjoying his first ever live game of rugby league after arriving in the UK in September.
Hasan said: “The atmosphere and the noise in the ground was amazing. The little number seven (Rob Burrow) was unbelievable. I’m looking forward to being able to play the game myself.”
Following the success of this trip, Fulneck School is planning a visit to the upcoming Gillette Four Nations final at Elland Road.
