London Bronco’s Oli Leyland, 20, and 19-year-old brother Bill coach pupils
(Picture: Alan Stanford / PRiME Media Images)Two promising rugby league players have returned to their roots to inspire the next generation.
Oli Leyland, 20, and 19-year-old brother Bill coached scores of pupils and rugby-mad youngsters ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated game in Ebbsfleet.
London Broncos will play their first fixture in Kent for almost a decade when they host Sheffield Eagles in the Betfred Championship at the Kuflink Stadium.
To mark the game, the club has partnered with Kent County Council to offer 500 free tickets to schools in the area.
The Leylands also visited their former school - Maidstone Grammar - to deliver a similar session which catered for participants of all abilities.
Oli said: “I believe giving back to people where you have come from is very important. “Some of the children we coached might go on to represent the Broncos one day – you never know.
“Allowing them to hear how Bill and I have progressed our careers hopefully helps take their interest and on-pitch development to the next level.
“Engaging with the younger generation is key if we’re to get more people in Kent to make rugby league their sport of choice. I’m proud of my parents and their work to keep rugby league in my home county alive.”
London Broncos CEO Jason Loubser added: “We’re really looking forward to our game at Ebbsfleet FC and have used it as an opportunity to help promote the sport we love in Kent.
“Inspiring youngsters to take up rugby league and encouraging people to come and watch the sport is a big part of our ethos.”
Kick-off at the Kuflink Stadium is at 3pm on Sunday. Tickets are priced £15 for adults, £12 for concessions and under-16s can watch for just £1.
