Czech Rugby League Association National Team Coach, Andrew Mulhall  & David Lahr, coach of domestic team,  Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels, were given an insight into the professionalism associated with being a member of the Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club during a Rugby League study tour to the north of England recently.

The two were guests of the Leeds Rhinos after being invited to attend the Leeds v St Helens Superleague fixture on May 19, by Leeds Chief-Executive, Gary Hetherington. Said Mulhall: “Leeds have been incredibly generous, & on behalf of the CZRLA, we thank Gary & everyone else involved at Leeds who have made us feel so welcome for their generosity, their professionalism, & their vision, in assisting us with the development of Rugby League in the Czech Republic. Mulhall was also ebullient in his praise of Leeds legend & Rhinos Head of Youth Development, Barrie McDermott. “Barrie really went above & beyond the call of duty in giving so much of his time to escort us around both the magnificent Leeds-Headingley Stadium and the impressive Rhinos club training facilities at Kirkstall. He was incredibly generous and I know that he has left a lasting impression on both David & I, & we thank him heartily! The Leeds Rhinos, as a whole, were incredibly warm & friendly towards us, and that only further contributes to the sense of ‘family’ that makes rugby league such a unique sport wherever one goes, anywhere in the world!”

Lahr too, was keen to emphasise his gratitude. “The players were great”, he said, & it was an excellent experience to watch Superleague live & then to watch the Rhinos training as a club.” Rob Burrow, especially, impressed Lahr. “It is great that someone who is not so big can be such a great player in rugby league”, he enthused, before summing up: “I learnt a lot from this experience in Leeds & I hope that I can apply some of what I learnt at home in the Czech Republic where I know that the Rhinos have already achieved more popularity than any other rugby league team.”