York City Knights Community Development Programme aims to promote Rugby League in North Yorkshire, as a fun and exciting game which can be played by people of all ages and abilities in a friendly atmosphere. The Knights aspire to be the most professional community sporting organisation in North Yorkshire and aim to rival any Championship Community program. In order to not only sustain current programs but also for growth to occur  and expansion to occur, the Knights have had to continually seek to attract major financial backing year after year enabling wide ranging Community Development Programmes to exist.

The Knights Community Programme was launched in 2003 and began by working within the local primary schools. Following the success in York, the programme has been extended throughout the North Yorkshire Service Area into Selby, Tadcaster, Easingwold, Knaresborough and Scarborough. Since its inception the programme has successfully grown, working with over 45,000 children in the form of coaching sessions, festivals and assembly initiatives. We currently work with more than 70 Primary Schools in the North Yorkshire area and offer coaching sessions and festival opportunities to all.

More recently the York City Knights Foundation (registered Charity No.  1112571,   www.yorkcityknightsfoundation.com/ was set up to help support and facilitate the Community Development Programme.  We also work with around 16 secondary schools across North Yorkshire focusing on two main programmes, the Carnegie Champion Schools tournament, which is a national competition for secondary schools, and the Marston Moor 9’s which is a festival aimed at schools in North Yorkshire and is part of the York 9’s extravaganza. 

In September 2007 the York College Rugby League development Centre was launched which allows talented rugby players to combine their Rugby League development with their academic or trade related studies.

In 2008 the York City Knights Foundation, which helps to support the Community Development Programme, teamed up with the Heart Research UK to educate young people about the risks of Heart Disease and how it can be combated from an early age through regular exercise and a balanced diet. This is in the form of an assembly which is followed up by a series of tag rugby league coaching sessions. We are keen on providing help and advice to young people on a number of issues.

One of the Knights biggest success stories in the Community programme without doubt was the York City Knights home match against Oldham on the 25^th of June earlier this year, shown live on SKY sports which managed to attract an attendance of 3106 people.  The event staged live music, a 16 school girls tag festival and half time school dance programme involving over 60 children.

The development programme is over seen and co-ordinated by Adam Prentis, York City Knights Development Manager.  If you would like to get involved with the York City Knights Community Development Programme please contact the development team:

Adam Prentis – York City Knights Development Manager
Office: 01904 758234
adam@ycknights.co.uk

Jack Stearman – York City Knights Community Coach
Office:01904 758234
Yckdevelopment2009@hotmail.co.uk

Chris Thorman – York City Knights Community Coach
Office:01904 758234
Yckdevelopment2009@hotmail.co.uk