150 YEARS OF RUGBY IN LEEDS

That this House congratulates the people and city of Leeds for celebrating 150 years of playing rugby; notes that on 4 March 1864 Henry Jenkinson, a clerk with a local railway company, placed an advertisement in the Leeds Mercury inviting interest from individuals interested in playing; further notes that this advertisement attracted over 200 people; further notes that the first Leeds team made its competitive debut on 19 June 1864 against Sheffield in a hybrid football game; also notes that the club became Leeds Athletic in 1870 and played on a ground by Whitehall Road; commends Leeds Rugby Foundation for the range of events it has organised throughout 2014 to celebrate 150 years of history and achievements; further commends the people of Leeds for their strong enthusiasm for rugby; wishes all rugby clubs in Leeds a strong and prosperous future; and looks forward to many more years of rugby being played across the city and surrounding areas.