York City Knights Community Development Programme aims to promote Rugby League as a fun and exciting game which can be played by people of all ages and abilities in a friendly atmosphere.

The Knights community programme was launched in 2003 and began by working within the local primary schools. This was developed by Jason Ramshaw when he joined the club as Development Manager in the Spring of 2004. 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, helping more than 30,000 children in our area in the form of coaching sessions, festivals and assembly initiatives. We currently work with more than 90 Primary Schools in the North Yorkshire area and offer coaching sessions and festival opportunities to all.

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. 

More recently the York City Knights Foundation, which helps to support the Community Development Programme, has 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 and have previously ran a programme focusing on the importance of teamwork, both on and off the Rugby field.

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. The development centre squad play in the college premier league under the guidence of Knights Reserve Grade Coach Paul Higgins.

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