It’s child’s play with return of Leeds Children’s Day

Big and small children alike tried out a series of different sports at the action packed celebration at Headingley Stadium on Sunday.

Families took part in American football, cricket and rugby sessions at the event which is a popular fixture in the city’s social calendar.

And adults were even given the chance to get in on the action with a session of mum and dad touch rugby.

The popular annual event was organised by the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, Leeds Rugby Foundation and the Garry Chappelow Memorial Fund.

The fund was set up after the tragic death of Leeds Rhinos fan Garry Chappelow in 2002 to raise money to help develop junior sport at grass roots level in Leeds.

Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s community manager Jonny Wainhouse said: “It’s been another fantastic Children’s Day event with over 5,000 people coming to Headingley Carnegie Stadium.

“There have been plenty of activities for all the family to get involved in with local community teams competing on the pitch and a chance for children to try out a range of sports.

“This event is now one of the highlights of the year in our city.

“Children’s Day is all about local community groups coming together to provide a free event for the families of Leeds.”

The first Children’s Day was held at Roundhay Park in 1922 and was a major event in the city’s social calendar until it finished in 1963.

Every year thousands of pupils would take part in a series of sporting displays at Soldiers’ Field.

The historic Leeds Children’s Day was resurrected by the Garry Chappelow Memorial Fund in 2008 with the help of Leeds Rhinos Foundation and has gone from strength to strength.

Garry regularly attended the Children’s Day celebrations in Leeds as a youngster.