High praise for south Leeds rugby union stalwart after 35 years with community club

A Leeds rugby club stalwart has been praised for 35 years of support for local sport.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Mar 2016, 09:42 BST
Updated 14th Mar 2016, 09:51 BST
David Blong (pictured right) with fellow members of Leeds Corinthians RUFC. Picture by Anna Gowthorpe.David Blong (pictured right) with fellow members of Leeds Corinthians RUFC. Picture by Anna Gowthorpe.
David Blong (pictured right) with fellow members of Leeds Corinthians RUFC. Picture by Anna Gowthorpe.

David Blong was given an Outstanding Service to Sport Award at the Leeds Sport Awards earlier this month for his service to Middleton-based Leeds Corinthians RUFC.

The 69-year-old first got involved with the club when he took his seven-year-old son along, before stints coaching and now as a club trustee.

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He said: “It was lovely to be recognised. We are a family club and I just want to see it continue as that, as a rugby union club and as a club with a lot of tradition.”

Andrew Cassar, Tony Germaine, Judy Germaine and David Blong who are all members of Leeds Corinthians RUFC. Picture by Anna Gowthorpe.Andrew Cassar, Tony Germaine, Judy Germaine and David Blong who are all members of Leeds Corinthians RUFC. Picture by Anna Gowthorpe.
Andrew Cassar, Tony Germaine, Judy Germaine and David Blong who are all members of Leeds Corinthians RUFC. Picture by Anna Gowthorpe.

The club became Leeds Corinthians in 1956 after Salem RUFC, which formed at Leeds Salem Congregational Church in 1926, broke from the church allegedly because its vicar objected to the gambling and drinking of players at the time.

Judy Germain, the club’s membership secretary, added: “It’s certainly a just reward for him [Mr Blong], he deserved it years ago.”

Visit facebook.com/LeedsCorinthians.

Related topics:LeedsMiddleton