First Bus and Leeds Rhinos become partners to promote ‘One Team’

First Bus has teamed up with Leeds Rhinos to launch a new partnership promoting the club’s ambitions to develop inclusivity and diversity in sport.

Yesterday (Sunday 25 February) players representing all its teams in rugby league and netball joined with the bus operator to hold a taster session outside Leeds Art Gallery to entice new fans to discover more about how the games are played in different forms. 

The square in front of the gallery was turned into an arena for people to try wheelchair rugby and netball.

First Bus has become its official One Team, Team Rhinos Bus Partner and will work with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation to support initiatives taking rugby league and netball into the community.

First Bus employees will also volunteer alongside players from all the club’s squads to bring both sports to a wider audience and encourage participation and grow spectator attendance at matches.  

The One Team, Team Rhinos has been emblazoned on a double-decker bus that will take the club’s message throughout Leeds. The branded bus features the faces of well-known players including Rhinos men's captain Cameron Smith, Leeds Rhinos Netball captain Geva Mentor, Leeds Rhinos Women's captain Hanna Butcher, Leeds Rhinos Foundation's Learning Disability player Mitch Woodham, Leeds Rhinos Foundation's Physical Disability player Tommy Pouncey and Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair captain Jodie Boyd Ward.

Ben Turnbull, Business Development Manager of Leeds Rhinos, said: “Our partnership with First Bus is built on shared values and objectives, celebrating inclusivity and engaging with our communities. The people of Leeds are so important to Leeds Rhinos and First Bus, and holding an event in the city with players from each team attending is the perfect way to launch the partnership and unveil the amazing One Team, Team Rhinos branded bus.”

Lucy Mottram, Marketing Manager of First Bus in West Yorkshire, added: “This builds on our strong partnership with the club and takes our support in a new direction.

“First Bus is working to develop a more diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve, so joining with the Leeds Rhinos in a shared objective to highlight the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the city is an opportunity from which we can both benefit.”