He has become the second player from the Development Academy team, following the signing of Mekhi Bridgeman-Reaney earlier this year, to sign a professional contract with the Rhinos.
FULFILLING A CHILDHOOD DREAM
Kyden is one of seven members of the Academy squad to have just signed with the rugby league club. A lifelong Rhinos fan, he declared himself ‘over the moon’ – and credited the role of his community club, Milford, and the Development Academy in helping him reach this stage.
He said: “It’s probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. Wearing that jersey which I’ve always wanted to wear, for the club I’ve supported since I was a little boy, is something I’ve wanted to do since I started playing rugby.”
Although usually a full-back, Kyden, who helped the Development Academy team reach the College Cup final this year, has already scored a couple of tries on the wing for the Rhinos Under-18s.
THE DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY’S PROFESSIONAL SET-UP HAS IMPROVED MY GAME
He said: “It’s a good feeling scoring for the Rhinos and hearing the crowd there cheering you on and getting behind you really drives you on.
“I played for Milford from a young age up until last year, when I moved into the Rhinos Academy and also played for the Development Academy team, which was great.
“I got to my first ever final and, although we didn’t get the result we needed, to play in my first final at Headingley was a special experience. Everything about the Development Academy is so professional and it’s good because you’re playing in a different environment from your club team, with a different set of mates.
“Some of those lads have never played competitively before so it’s a really good grounding and you definitely learn a lot from the coaches, which helps improve your game.”
Kyden, who is studying a level 2 Fitness Instructing (gym) course, is determined to now push on and reach the very top level of his sport.
He added: “Hopefully if I keep working hard then eventually I’ll reach the first team, because that’s the next goal I want to achieve with the club.”
Leeds City College student-athlete Kyden Frater, who has signed a contract with Leeds Rhinos
The Development Academy is part of Leeds Sports Connect, which offers quality education and training through a link between Leeds City College and Leeds Sixth Form College and a number of local, professional sports clubs.
Deputy Principal of Leeds Sixth Form College, Ryan Grant, said: “The Development Academy team has had a fantastic year and to see another of their players sign up with the Rhinos is testament to that.
“Kyden has thoroughly earned this opportunity and we’re confident he will achieve great things as he pushes on to the next level.
“Making amazing opportunities like this achievable is the driving force behind the development academy, and Leeds Sports Connect – so it is really rewarding to see student-athletes like Kyden take their chance.
“We’re really proud of him!”
To learn more about the Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Development Academy click here.
Undergraduate students from University Centre Leeds have been rubbing shoulders with some of the country’s top civil servants.
Ten degree students from the Business School travelled to London in March to spend two days working in the Department for Transport (DfT).
During the trip they took part in a variety of practical exercises, designed to give an insight into the department’s work, including mock projects and interview panels.
They also got to meet two of the UK’s highest level civil servants, Permanent Secretary Bernadette Kelly and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Baroness Vere.
The opportunity came about after Carole Lovstrom and Charlotte Bedford, co-chairs of the DfT’s Social Mobility Network, gave a talk during UC Leeds’ Women in Leadership programme.
Lecturers Nicola Wilson and Greg Tidswell, who accompanied the students on the trip, hailed it as a ‘great success’.
A glimpse of a ‘whole new world’
Nicola said: “The visit provided students with invaluable opportunities to interact with people in many roles within the DfT, including the Permanent Secretary and Under Secretary.
“They were also given a range of practical opportunities to engage in to give them an idea of the type of work that is carried out, and a demonstration of what a typical civil service interview looks like.
“There was a real buzz throughout the two days and the students found the experience both rewarding and hugely enjoyable.
“They came away with a newfound knowledge of the diverse range of roles that are available within the civil service, and the flexibility and encouragement afforded to employees to move and grow within the organisation.
“We are hugely grateful to Carole, Charlotte, and everyone else at DfT who played a part in making it such a wonderful and rewarding experience.”
Greg said: “The two days we spent in London showed our students a whole new world – one that many did not know existed – within the civil service.
“The energy this trip has given to our students has been outstanding. Speaking with them, during and after the trip, has confirmed how valuable these kind of ‘out of the norm’ experiences are for exposing students to new avenues of working and development.”
The students were all drawn from Leadership, Business and Travel degree courses.
Students relish one-off opportunity
Students facing a mock interview panel at the Department for Transport, London
Leadership and Management BA (Hons) student Haleema Jabeen said: “I am in my final year and it was such a great opportunity to be chosen for this trip.
“It has given me a great insight into, and experience of, the workings of senior stakeholders in the civil service. They are dealing with complex projects in time-driven environments, and we saw how crucial management is to the delivery of all departments.”
Leadership and Management student Emily McCormick said: “I found the trip really useful in looking at the alternative futures available to me.
“I have always worked in a small business so it was interesting to see how a large organisation operated.
“I think the trip allowed us, as students, to envisage a potential career in the civil service.”
Fellow management student Ryan Shuckford added: “The experience was highly beneficial for my personal development and my awareness of the civil service and neurodiversity.
“The experience provided me with the opportunity to practise the theoretical elements of leadership that I have learnt at the University Centre, pinpoint my personal interest, and determine where my skills are most applicable.
“If anyone has the chance of a similar opportunity, I would highly recommend taking it!”
The Hair and Beauty Training Academy at Leeds City College’s Printworks Campus is a cut above the rest by offering free haircuts to members of the local community.
A group of hairdressing and barbering students are providing the service to those across the district who are homeless, job seeking, refugees, asylum seekers and members of mental health organisation, Andy’s Man Club.
Maxine Edwards, course leader within the School of Hair, Beauty and Media Makeup, said: “As a college based in the heart of Leeds, we are committed to serving the members of our community as much as possible. We appreciate that not everyone can afford a haircut, so we’re encouraging those who are less fortunate to let their hair down and get a cut with us.
“Whether clients are wanting a quick trim or a dramatic restyle, our talented students are happy to help. As stylists, we understand how having a haircut can make a huge difference to an individual’s self-esteem and confidence – and we’d like to offer this service as widely as possible to boost the wellbeing of our community.”
Students studying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Public Services and Joinery, have provided their support for Ukraine refugees at a local community hub, The Good Shepherd Centre.
The centre has been working hard to collect items which are urgently needed for refugees, who are seeking asylum in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Romania.
The learners have been helping to sort out the donations, including toiletries, first aid items, activity packs and sleeping equipment. These items will be transported to churches and other charities on the Polish border.
The important work being done at The Good Shepherd Centre appeared on ITV Calendar News, where the learners spoke about the necessity of supporting those less fortunate than us.
Two members of Luminate Education Group have received recognition at this year’s Educate North awards.
Leeds City College won an award after receiving nominations from Smooth radio listeners, while University Centre Leeds was highly commended in the Business Collaboration & Partnerships category, for its outstanding apprenticeship work in the community.
The awards recognise the outstanding contribution by schools, colleges, higher education institutions or organisations in the North of England, to support their students or the wider community during the 2021/22 academic year.
The college was nominated for the ‘brilliant and innovative’ work it is doing, such as the 14+ Apprenticeship Academy. The college also received recognition for changing the system of education for the better, as well as developing young people and preparing them for the world away from school, whilst allowing them to grow and learn.
The college was also commended for the outstanding work and support given to students throughout lockdown, giving learners extra help and a place where they could feel safe.
Bill Jones, Deputy CEO at Luminate Education Group, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised by Educate North Awards for the work we are doing to provide first class educational experiences for our young people.
“Delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life- changing is at the heart of our agenda. Ensuring that students are able to thrive, and progress is one of our key priorities and we are honoured that this is being achieved and recognised.
“The staff went the extra mile and worked very hard during the pandemic, and it really made a difference to our young people. This award is a further testament to their commitment to enhancing students’ lives.”
The prestigious awards event, which attracts more than 300 education professionals from Further and Higher Education institutions from across the North, celebrates best practice and recognises excellence in the education sector.
Leeds Conservatoire is delighted to announce that it has appointed a new Chair to the Board of Directors – Carolyn Lord.
Carolyn, a solicitor, has spent all of her life in Leeds and Yorkshire. In a career spanning over 30 years, she has advised on some of the most significant development schemes in Leeds, as well as projects across the UK, and has been appointed to external roles to deal with areas of governance of local authorities in West Yorkshire. She is also a trustee of Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
With nine years as a governor at Leeds Trinity University and a further two years as a member of the Board at Leeds Conservatoire, Carolyn is passionate about opening up the opportunities of Higher Education (HE) to the widest diversity of students and helping to ensure the long-term success of specialist HE institutions that add to the region’s cultural richness.
In addition, Carolyn has a life-long love of music which she has passed on to her three sons. She has sung in many choirs and was a founder member of St Peter’s Singers in Leeds in her teenage years. She has also sung in or been associated with Leeds Cathedral Choir since the 1980s.
Carolyn says, “It is my privilege to take on the role of Chair of the Board of Leeds Conservatoire at this time when the importance of providing opportunities for talented young people to flourish is so necessary. I am looking forward to playing a part in strengthening the prominence of the conservatoire for Leeds on the international stage and supporting the work of its dedicated and creative staff team.”
Professor Joe Wilson, Principal at Leeds Conservatoire, adds,“Carolyn brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to Leeds Conservatoire and I’m sure that she will be an absolute asset as Chair of the Board. I am pleased to welcome her to this pivotal role.”
