West Park Leeds R U F C Ltd

General information

A thriving Rugby Club with a full, Mini, Junior, Girls, Ladies and Senior Men's sections.

The club was founded in 1959 by masters and parents of West Park School and the Headmaster, Mr TL Mathews was the first President. In the early years the school facilities were used but a move to Tinshill Recreation ground and headquarters at the Welcome Public House were effected in 1966 and in 1969 the club achieved its first honour, winning the Yorkshire Shield. Inspired by this success the club sought to acquire a ground of its own and in 1970 arrived at the Sycamores Bramhope. The members voted to change the name to encompass the new location and thus West Park Bramhope was created

During the 70s and 80s many successes were enjoyed including good runs in the Yorkshire Cup as well as several semi-final and final defeats in the Shield. The elusive win was not to come until 1989-90 when finally the Shield was seized again twenty years after the first win. The advent of Leagues had now arrived and to compliment the Shield win the championship of Yorkshire 1 was also achieved. In the same season that Yorkshire President, R Jessop officially opened the new stand the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup was reached crowning arguably the finest season in the club's history. Overall, the club has achieved five promotions, a record that stands comparison with almost any club in the county.

In Spring 2004 the club became registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC). In the summer of 2005 the membership voted to change the club name to West Park Leeds RUFC, as part of the development strategy. In June 2006 the members voted overwhelmingly to merge with Leeds RUFC - the amateur club formed by the mergers of Headingley & Roundhay from which Leeds Tykes eventually emerged - to form a new amateur club, WEST PARK LEEDS RUFC, allowing the realisation of funds from the sale of the Chandos grounds.

In September 2006 the prestigious Community Rugby Seal of Approval was achieved thanks to the prodigious work of Alan Simpson and a dedicated band of helpers. In March 2007, in accordance with the recommendation of the governing body, the club became registered as an Industrial & Provident Society, acquiring limited company status.

In the Spring of 2007 building work began on the development of vastly improved facilities, including a new club house, terracing, extensive floodlighting & a state of the art all weather pitch at the Sycamores.

The new state of the art building was completed in the Summer of 2008 creating a set up and facilities that are second to none in the County and beyond.

The cramped 1960's clubhouse has been replaced with a spacious two-storey state of the art building. The clubhouse has 10 dressing rooms, a gym, officials, physio and doctors rooms downstairs. The social areas upstairs include a lounge bar, kitchen and dining area, audio-visual areas, committee rooms, offices and a shop. 240 covers can be accommodated in the function room.

The process began when Headingley and Roundhay merged in September 1992 to form Leeds RUFC. In 1997 a planning application was submitted to the council for residential development at Chandos Park. The outcome was determined in May 2007, which released the £5m to fund the transformation. In turn Leeds merged with West Park Bramhope to form West Park Leeds.