Leeds Rhinos fans asked to register for Super League games at Headingley

Members will be given first priority if Rhinos are allowed to welcome significant crowds back to the stadium before the end of the current Betfred Super League season.

Rhinos’ home Super League fixture against Catalans Dragons - along with three others on Wednesday, September, 30, including Castleford Tigers’ visit of Hull - will be a pilot for the return of fans, with 1,000 spectators admitted.

It will be Leeds’ first game played in front of a crowd since the home win over Toronto Wolfpack on March 5.

The pilot will be dealt with separately by the club and local authorities as a one-off event, but Rhinos are planning for the potential next phase when more fans can return to Headingley with spectators.

The operation has been dubbed 'Project Ronnie'.

A Rhinos statement said: "The club committed to continue to make the stadium Covid secure for players, staff and spectators with increased hygiene and social distancing provisions.

"Emerald Headingley has successfully hosted 11 Super League games behind closed doors, more than any other venue with thorough protocols successfully put in place to protect everyone who has entered the stadium.

"The next step is the pilot game which will hopefully be followed by the re-introduction of fans to the stadium once government guidelines allow this in England.

"As part of this process, the club are asking 2020 season members who wish to attend games to complete a simple online process to let them know."

Rhinos operations director Sue Ward said: "We are working with the RFL and the relevant authorities to make sure as soon as we can have spectators back at Emerald Headingley that we are ready to go.

"Project Ronnie allows everyone to play their part by making sure they are registered with us to let us know if they want to attend games.

"That will give us an accurate figure to work with to ensure social distancing guidelines and hygiene plans can be implemented correctly to create a Covid secure environment and put us in the best possible position to increase capacity in the future.”

Chief executive Gary Hetherington added: "Everyone must play their part in helping us achieve our ultimate goal of having spectators back at matches.

"Initially, that is our season members letting us know if they want to attend matches in 2020.

"Our commitment is to make sure the stadium is the most Covid secure facility we can create and that we follow all guidelines set down by the authorities.

"The final piece of the jigsaw will be making sure that everyone adheres to the guidelines so that, not only can we welcome fans back, but importantly that we can keep fans coming back.

"We understand that some season members will not want to return in the current climate, but those who do must let us know so we can plan accordingly.”

Leeds Rhinos 2020 gold and silver season members should visit tickets.therhinos.co.uk to register their interest to return for matches in 2020.

The deadline is noon on Thursday, September 24.

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