Leeds Rhinos players take part in anti-bullying drive

Rhinos players Ryan Bailey and Brad Simpleton, together with children, teachers, coaches and will gather at Headingley Stadium tomorrow to take part in the training which will help them to deal with bullies.

As bullying can take place during lunchtimes and breaks, the training is designed to reduce the opportunity for it to happen.

The children, which include anti-bullying ambassadors who already work in their schools to reduce bullying, will become qualified “positive play leaders” and be able to pass their new knowledge to friends and classmates at school.

With over 100 children taking part in the training, their new skills will be passed to more than 4,000 children in primary schools across Leeds in the coming months.

The training, which has been developed by Education Leeds and the Leeds Rugby Foundation, is part of the Power of Me programme, an anti-bullying initiative which has been developed to teach children and young people how they can use fun games at school to tackle and prevent bullying.

Once the training has been completed, the Rhinos players will present national Diana Anti-Bullying Award certificates.

Coun Jane Dowson, executive board member for learning at Leeds City Council, said: “The Power of Me campaign and our anti-bullying ambassadors have helped reduce the number of incidents of bullying and made children and young people feel safer in school. This latest work with the Leeds Rhinos will continue this progress and help make our schools even safer places to be.”

Nigel Richardson, director of children’s services, said: “We are committed to tackling bullying whenever and however possible.”

Nigel O’Flaherty Johnston, community development manager at the Leeds Rugby Foundation, said: “Respect for others is an important part of the game of rugby league and our players are great role models for the children involved in this anti-bullying campaign.”

Each positive play leader will receive a training booklet which will include instructions on how to play all the games.