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With some of the country’s best-supported football, cricket and rugby sides, and plenty of opportunities to get involved yourself, sport in Leeds is as healthy as ever.
The city’s celebrated rugby league side, Leeds Rhinos, is one of the sport’s real heavyweights, and was the best-supported rugby side of either code in the UK in 2007, so it's a good job that Headingley Carnegie Stadium can house 22,250 spectators.
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With some of the country’s best-supported football, cricket and rugby sides, and plenty of opportunities to get involved yourself, sport in Leeds is as healthy as ever.
The city’s celebrated rugby league side, Leeds Rhinos, is one of the sport’s real heavyweights, and was the best-supported rugby side of either code in the UK in 2007, so it's a good job that Headingley Carnegie Stadium can house 22,250 spectators. 2007 also saw them become Super League champions, something that could only be topped by winning the Carnegie World Club Challenge — which they did in early 2008. Rhinos are well known for their exciting style of play and, when the RFL announced the 2007 dream team, there were more Rhinos players than any other club.
Rugby union fans can enjoy some top-quality entertainment, too, as Leeds Carnegie — known until recently as Leeds Tykes — gained promotion back to the Guinness Premiership in 2007.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club are also based Headingley Carnegie Stadium and remain one of the biggest sides in the game. After a difficult period, the side was promoted in 2005 and survived relegation in 2006 before former England bowler and ballroom dancing legend Darren Gough returned to captain the side in 2007, taking them to within a couple of games of winning the County Championship. England also frequently play international test matches at Headingley, and it remains one of the country’s top cricketing venues.
In terms of football, Leeds United have struggled to live up to expectations in recent years, but they’re currently rebuilding from their position in League One. The fans remain in full support and the expectation is that the club will return to former glories in the coming years.
Besides Leeds United, the city boasts a couple of other interesting sides. Farsley Celtic gained promotion to the top-flight of non-league football in 2007, the Blue Square Premier. Garforth Town, meanwhile, is a small club based in east Leeds, and currently compete in the Unibond League. They are perhaps best known for their manager and owner, Simon Clifford, who has managed to get Brazil legends Socrates and Careca to play for the side, as well as former Manchester and Leeds United star Lee Sharpe.
Leeds is a great place to be for sport, and is home to the famous Brazilian Soccer Schools championed by the likes of England striker Michael Owen and making a major impact on the future of English football. Commercial manager Mark Rasche explains why Leeds is so important to the company.
“Leeds is the centre of the universe in our opinion. We started in Leeds with four children in Roundhay Park 12 years ago and we still coach there every Saturday, and we’ll stay there as long as the city and council supports us. We are doing well and have produced one of Leeds’ greatest exports — England defender Micah Richards.”
Leeds is a great city for keeping active, no matter what your sport of choice. As with any major city, there are plenty of gyms but there are also lots of options for the more adventurous.
For those who enjoy climbing, the Leeds Wall is a popular indoor centre, catering for climbers of all abilities, including a bouldering section. There are also several great spots if you prefer to climb outdoors — Almscliff Crags near Otley is particularly good.
Xscape, in nearby Castleford, is a great spot for some fun climbing as well as excellent indoor skiing and snowboarding and plenty more activities, sporting and otherwise.
Football fans will be pleased to hear there are a number of five-a-side football centres. Goals, off Kirkstall Road, offers great competitive games and leagues on its outdoor pitches and is a hugely popular choice. There are also indoor pitches at Soccer City near Elland Road and all-weather pitches at the John Charles Centre For Sport in southLeeds, which also boasts a 2,500-seater grandstand.
The John Charles Centre For Sport is typical of Leeds City Council’s leisure centres, offering a range of sports from badminton to indoor bowls, and a new Aquatics Centre opened in 2007. The activities differ from centre to centre, but there is a wide variety at each.
There are also plenty of classes happening in the city at various times, from martial arts to yoga, and capoeira to pilates — check Leeds Guide to find out when and where they’re on. Scuba diving fans can head to Freedom Divers on Kirkstall Road or Learn To Dive in south-west Leeds for lessons, equipment and everything else you need.
Yorkshire being a region rich in green open spaces, it should come as no surprise that Leeds is surrounded by good quality golf courses — in fact, the 1929 Ryder Cup was held at Moortown Golf Club! Standards are so high that the region is said to be the envy of the rest of the UK. In addition to the wide array of private clubs, there are four council-owned public pay 'n' play courses that are open to everybody.
Tennis fans are 'well served' too, with a large amount of free-to-play courts across the city. Leeds is also home to the biggest city-wide summer tennis camp programme, and the biggest schools' mini-tennis programme in the UK, which is great news for kids.
So whether you play to win, for fun or if you just prefer to watch, moving to Leeds is a great tactic for any sports fan.
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Walking
Bramham Park
Bramham Park contains early 18th century French-style formal gardens almost unique in England.
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Bramley Falls
A large, open park with outstanding views and beautiful walks.
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Chevin Forest Park
This park near Otley covers almost 500 acres of moorland and woodland.
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Golden Acre Park
A favourite with families of all ages, with over 130 acres of gardens and woodland.
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Guided Walks
A programme of evening and daytime weekend walks around Leeds.
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Horsforth Hall Park
A popular spot for families throughout the year.
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Ilkley Moor
A popular area of moorland between Ilkley and Keighley, not far from Leeds.
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Middleton Park
One of Leeds' largest parks, only three miles from the city centre.
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Roundhay Park
Roundhay Park is one of the most popular places to relax in Leeds.
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Springhead Park
Pretty open grassland and beautiful formal gardens, seven miles from the city centre.
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Monday 01 Dec 2008
Top 5 - Sports and outdoors
John Charles Centre for Sport»
Leeds United Football Club»
Leeds Rugby»
The Yorkshire County Cricket Club»
Xscape Castleford»