Posted 26 March 2020

University Centre Leeds is proud to blog about an exciting new employer engagement project having recently teamed up with Castleford Tigers to expand the educational opportunities for players and fans in the region. It will involve Castleford Tigers referring candidates, who are registered and/or eligible to play for at least one of the club’s teams, to University Centre Leeds. This includes their engagement with the Castleford Tigers Foundation Education Programme. 

The partnership is agreed for the next two academic years and will provide Castleford with a clear progression pathway for students on to any of the foundation degree programmes within the HE Sport, Science & Health department. 

Richard Keys, Head of Sport, Science & Health at University Centre Leeds, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Castleford Tigers to create more opportunities for students wanting to pursue a career in sport, and with a particular interest in rugby.

“This programme provides a progression pathway for Castleford Tigers and provides us with the opportunity to partner with a major professional club, which in turn, develops our external visibility.”

Rebranded from the old Tigers Trust earlier this year, the Tigers Foundation forms part of a major overhaul of the club’s community activity, in-line with the ambitions and growth of the Tigers in recent years. 

Community Director Simon Fox said: “The opportunity to work with University Centre Leeds is an exciting step forward for the Tigers Foundation, connecting two ambitious brands in the Yorkshire community.

“Our educational provision has grown significantly in the last 12 months and this partnership extends that ambition, and provides a number of Higher Education options and courses for people across the district.”

Mr Fox, who joined the Foundation in 2019, came on board to lead it into a new era as they expand their provision across the Leeds City Region. With over 20 projects, the Foundation’s core models cover sport, health, education and giving back to the community. University Centre Leeds and Castleford Tigers are therefore working in partnership to put together a comprehensive programme that will be rolled out in the new year. 

Castleford Tigers joined the Rugby League in 1926, having previously been a successful junior club. The Tigers have become one of the most famous Rugby League clubs in the United Kingdom and have consistently produced players who have achieved worldwide status in Rugby League. Since 1927, the club has always played home games at the current stadium on Wheldon Road known as The Mend-A-Hose Jungle since 2014.  

For further information about the partnership, undergraduate sport programmes, or any other provision at University Centre Leeds, please contact Jo Tyssen at Joanne.Tyssen@ucleeds.ac.uk.