Rhinos help boost troop morale

Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos have teamed up with major local company Hesco Bastion Ltd in a ground breaking initiative to help boost morale for those serving in the Armed Forces.

The partnership will see Hesco Bastion provide tickets for servicemen and women so they can enjoy some well earned relaxation at the rugby during their time back at home. The partnership will also see the families of those serving abroad being treated to a night out at the rugby at a family-friendly Rhinos home game courtesy of Hesco Bastion.

Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said: “This is a unique partnership with the club and Hesco Bastion coming together to support the armed forces personnel and their families and at the same time as introducing Rugby League to a new audience.”

Trishia Laidlaw, Managing Director of Hesco Bastion, added, “To be supporting the Rhinos and the armed forces is a natural thing for us to do and we are very pleased that Hesco Bastion can provide these opportunities.”

George Taylor, the Armed Forces Development Officer for the RFL, added, “From a Military point of view this kind of initiative will have a great effect on the morale and welfare of the families at home and the troops away on operations.

“Also the partnership will heighten the profile of the game in the Armed Forces, the synergy between the partners, with Hesco Bastion heavily involved with the troops in theatre already and the toughness of the game, is a great combination.

“Rugby League is played across all three Armed Forces with over 600 servicemen and women actively involved in the game, which is a figure that we are hoping to grow with initiatives such as this,” added Taylor.