Hello, Hunslet Club Community!
Welcome to our October newsletter, your go-to update for everything happening here at The Hunslet Club. As the nights draw in and our young members settle back into school life, it’s the perfect time to look back on a busy and inspiring few months.
This year’s Halloween Party was one of our biggest and best yet, a fantastic evening filled with fun, laughter, and just the right amount of fright! The Club was completely transformed with eerie decorations, glowing pumpkins, and spooky surprises around every corner.
A huge highlight of the night was the visit from Owl Adventures, who brought along an amazing range of live animals including snakes, geckos, a snow owl, and birds of prey. Our young members were fascinated by the up-close encounters and loved learning about these incredible creatures.
But the screams didn’t stop there! The brilliant Hunslet Rogues Theatre Company hosted their very own Scare Walk, which proved so popular it had a queue all night! Older members were treated to a thrilling mix of terror and entertainment.
The fancy dress competition was another highlight, it was an unforgettable evening.
A massive thank you to our amazing staff, volunteers, and performers who made it happen — and to all our young people and families who brought the Halloween spirit to life! 💚🕸️
What a journey it’s been! Over the past four months, our incredible young designers have poured their creativity, passion, and teamwork into creating clothing that celebrates how we feel in the art room confident, calm, and connected. A space where everyone belongs and mistakes are just a redirection to something even more amazing!
The Hunslet Fashion Project, delivered as part of the Burberry Inspires programme, has been phenomenal, every single Thursday night in the art room was filled with laughter, new friendships, and plenty of organised chaos along the way! From first sketches and mood boards, conversations about mental health and emotions and how we represent them through fashion, to the final runway – every moment reflected the energy, imagination, and confidence of our young artists! Ahh it was just magical.
We couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved and the way they’ve supported each other throughout this creative journey.
At The Hunslet Club, we’re committed to helping young people reach their full potential and projects like this show just how powerful that can be.
Please see below an exciting and unique collaboration celebrating the identity and the evolution of Rugby within our community.
As part of this project, we thought it would be brilliant to display both new and historic Hunslet rugby shirts. The collection showcased jerseys from past decades right through to our modern kits, visually representing the journey of Hunslet Rugby and its long-standing legacy in South Leeds.
The involvement of our girls’ rugby players made this collaboration even more meaningful. Standing proudly in the shirts, they represented the newest chapter in our club’s history, one where more girls than ever are taking their place in the sport, shaping its future and challenging old perceptions of who rugby is for.
We’re thrilled to announce the official opening of our brand-new £1.2 million 3G sports facility, funded through the Football Foundation’s Lionesses Fund, a national initiative designed to boost women’s and girls’ participation in sport.
The Hunslet Club is proud to be one of just 30 sites nationwide selected for this investment, recognising our ongoing commitment to providing inclusive, high-quality sporting opportunities for young people in South Leeds.
The new facility will transform football opportunities for girls and women, while offering the wider community year-round access to sport, training, and development sessions.
The grand opening was attended by The Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Hunslet legends Peter Swan and Jason Robinson, and Leeds United Women’s Abi Lee, who joined club members and families to cut the gold ribbon and celebrate this exciting milestone.
After the ceremony, young members took to the pitch to showcase their skills across football, rugby, and multi-sport games, a true celebration of the opportunities this space will provide.
“This investment is a game-changer for South Leeds,” said Ryan Grant, Director of Business & Education. “It’s about giving every young person – especially girls – the chance to get active, build confidence, and thrive.”
We’re thrilled to offer another year of Monday Evening Project, a free programme designed specifically for young people at The Hunslet Club. Our Monday Evening Project gives Year 11 students the chance to gain a Level 1 qualification in a range of exciting subjects, including Art, Barbering, Car Mechanics, Catering, and Construction.
Running every Monday from 4–6pm during term time, the course is delivered right here at The Hunslet Club and will be completed in April. It’s an ideal opportunity for students who want to get ahead in their careers, improve their CVs, or simply learn a new skill in a supportive, engaging environment.
With small class sizes, hands-on learning, and expert tutors, students receive tailored guidance and practical experience that will help them gain confidence, develop new abilities, and explore potential career paths.
We have got off to a great start with 36 young people taking part and working towards a brighter future.
This month our young players enjoyed an unforgettable experience at our Hunslet Rugby Camp, a programme designed not only to develop skills on the pitch but also to provide opportunities that go far beyond training sessions.
One of the most memorable highlights was the chance to watch the Australia team train ahead of their big game against England. This exclusive experience allowed our Rugby Campers to see world-class players in action, gain insight into professional preparation, and be inspired by the dedication and skill of elite athletes from across the globe. Moments like these are rare, and they give our young people a unique perspective on what is possible with hard work and determination.
At The Hunslet Club and Hunslet ARLFC, our rugby camps are about more than just sport. They are designed to develop teamwork, resilience, confidence, and leadership, while offering exclusive experiences that broaden horizons. By combining high-quality coaching with inspiring trips and activities, we continue to give our young members opportunities they wouldn’t normally get elsewhere.
We are immensely proud of our campers, and grateful to our coaches and volunteers who make these exceptional experiences possible. The future of rugby in Hunslet has never looked brighter.
The Hunslet Girls Under 12’s football team have just embarked on an incredible international adventure to Holland, marking one of the most exciting trips in the team’s history. Over several action-packed days, the players experienced a perfect blend of football, culture, team bonding, and unforgettable memories.
Their journey began with an overnight coach ride to Dover before travelling across to Dunkirk and onwards to Hoeven, where the team settled into their accommodation at Molecaten Park Bosbad Hoeven. From the very start, the girls showed brilliant team spirit, excitement, and maturity as they prepared for a week filled with both sporting and cultural experiences.
The itinerary included a behind-the-scenes stadium tour at Feyenoord in Rotterdam, giving the girls a rare opportunity to explore a world-class football arena and learn about the club’s rich history. They also enjoyed free time in the heart of Rotterdam, taking in the sights, shops, and atmosphere of one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.
On the pitch, the team took part in international fixtures against Dutch sides, testing their skills, teamwork, and resilience in a whole new environment. Off the pitch, they bonded over bowling, group meals, and plenty of shared laughs.
The girls showcased everything our club values: teamwork, respect, courage, and joy for the game. We couldn’t be prouder of how they carried themselves throughout this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A massive well-done to our incredible Hunslet ARLFC U15 Golds, who have officially been crowned Yorkshire Juniors Division 2 League Champions! This is an outstanding achievement and a true reflection of the team’s hard work, dedication, and grit throughout the season.
Week after week, the boys have shown unbelievable commitment, turning up to training, pushing each other to improve, and playing with pride every time they stepped onto the pitch. Their teamwork, discipline, and passion for rugby have shone through in every game, and this title is more than deserved.
A big shout-out also goes to the coaching team, whose guidance and support have helped the players grow both on and off the field. And, of course, thank you to the parents and supporters who cheer them on in all weathers.
We are incredibly proud of this group—what a season, what a team, and what a moment for Hunslet ARLFC!
Our incredibly talented Hunslet Rogues Theatre Company has been hard at work over the last few months, rehearsing, refining, and perfecting every detail of their upcoming production, The Wicked of Oz. From choreography and costume fittings to vocal rehearsals and stage design, the cast and crew have poured countless hours into bringing this show to life.
Their dedication is already paying off. Within just 24 hours of tickets going on sale, the production sold over 100 seats, a phenomenal achievement that reflects both the quality of the performance and the growing reputation of The Hunslet Rogues within our community.
The Wicked of Oz promises to be a vibrant, imaginative, and wonderfully entertaining production suitable for families, friends, and theatre lovers of all ages. The group’s creativity and passion shines through every rehearsal, and we cannot wait for audiences to see just how much talent we have here at The Hunslet Club.
If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, we highly recommend doing so soon, this is shaping up to be one of their most popular shows yet. Get your tickets here https://www.hunsletclub.org.uk/events/
Stay tuned for more updates as opening night approaches!
The Hunslet Club is excited to launch Get Kids Moving, a brand-new campaign designed to encourage more young people across South Leeds to get active, try something new, and enjoy the benefits of regular movement.
Each week, the Club has been offering FREE beginner and development sessions in a wide range of activities, including football, boxing, gymnastics, rugby, dance, and art. The goal is simple: to make sport and activity accessible to every child, regardless of background or experience.
This campaign is part of our ongoing commitment to improving the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of young people. By focusing on fun, confidence-building, and inclusion, we want to show that getting active doesn’t have to be intimidating, there truly is something for everyone.
“We want young people to find what they love,” said Sports Manager Chris Boyce. “Whether it’s sport, dance, or creative activities, The Hunslet Club is here to help them get moving, build confidence, and feel good.”
Our Junior Youth Club embraced the spooky season in style this month with a special clay workshop that brought out the imagination and creativity of every young person who took part. The session focused on crafting Halloween-themed trinkets and candle holders, giving members the chance to experiment with clay, learn new techniques, and create something unique to take home.
From tiny pumpkins and miniature ghosts to intricately designed lantern-style candle holders, the room buzzed with excitement as the young people rolled, shaped, carved, and decorated their creations. For many, it was their first experience working with clay, and it didn’t take long for them to gain confidence and discover how rewarding the process can be.
Staff were on hand throughout to guide, demonstrate, and encourage, but the creative ideas all came from the young people themselves. The session offered a fantastic opportunity to slow down, get hands-on, and explore artistic expression in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Workshops like this are a core part of what makes Junior Youth Club so special, providing young people with fun, enriching experiences that build skills, spark creativity, and allow them to take pride in what they make.
We look forward to running even more creative sessions throughout the year!
We had an absolute blast at our Junior and Senior Youth Club Halloween parties this year! Both groups went all-out with amazing fancy dress, loads of treats, and plenty of games to keep everyone laughing all night.
Juniors brought the energy with some seriously impressive costumes everything from zombies and witches to superheroes and totally unique creations. The room was buzzing, the music was loud, and the Halloween games went down a treat. It was just a proper feel-good night with everyone getting stuck in and having fun together.
Our Senior Youth Club took things to another level with their own horror spoof film inspired by Scream. They spent the week planning, acting, filming, and editing it themselves, and the final result was hilarious. Watching it together at the party was definitely a highlight, lots of laughs and a few dramatic screams!
We also had a special visit from Grace at Howden’s, one of our brilliant sponsors. She ran an awesome Halloween makeup workshop, showing the seniors how to create creepy special-effects looks. They absolutely loved it!
A huge well done to everyone who got involved, two brilliant parties, loads of creativity, and lots of memories made.
Interested in volunteering or becoming a member of the Hunslet Club? We’d love to have you join our vibrant community! Visit our website or stop by The Club to learn more about how you can get involved.
Follow this link to donate any amount small or large to our registered charity. We rely on the kindness of donations to be able to help every young person that we encounter at The Club, reach their full potential.
Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and announcements and to see what goes on daily at The Hunslet Club.
As always a huge THANK YOU for your continued support and participation. Together, we’re building a happier, healthier, and more connected community here at the Hunslet Club. We wouldn’t be us, without you!
Until next time, The Hunslet Club Team.
