Royal Air Force News Friday, November 4, 2022 P28
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RUGBY LEAGUE
RISING STAR: Leeds and RAF player Cpl Alex Barnes on the attack for Rhinos against Wigan (main picture) and making progress against Huddersfield (top left) and St Helens (bottom left) PHOTOS: LEEDS RHINOS
RAF league player's on the charge with Rhinos Cpl Alex Barnes only took up the sport four years ago Daniel Abrahams “IT IS still really weird, even saying that I play for Leeds Rhinos.” It might be understandable for Cpl Alex Barnes, speaking to RAF News about her stellar rise in the sport of rugby league, to underplay her amazing sporting career in the RAF and now Super League, it has been such a whirlwind. Barnes, who closed out her 2022 season by starring in the Inter-Services for the RAF women’s team and the Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final for Leeds, only picked up a league ball four years ago. She said: “In 2018 I was asked if I fancied making up the numbers for RAF RL. I had never heard of the sport, yet I ended up playing in the IS championship.” A role she repeated in 2019, before things really started to hot up for the Brize Norton Logistics Mover. She said: “After the 2021 IS there was talk about trials for league clubs. “I missed the trials due to deployment, but
Sqn Ldr Damian Clayton, UKAF Chief Supporting Officer, sent a highlight reel to Leeds and I got a trial and was signed.” Barnes, who tasted IS glory with the Service rugby union women’s team in 2018, has used her role of Rugby League Development Officer at Leeds to champion league and the RAF. “You must be a role model, I am always introduced by Leeds as a Service person, there is Service pride in everything I do, without the Air Force I wouldn’t have been given this opportunity,” she said. “This year I have gained my Level Two coaching badge and have been involved with teaching kids how to play league, and given them a different vision of the military.” Wearing a RAF top whenever she can during
the visits, Barnes is also working alongside Cpl Dan Tonkin, coach of the RAF women’s team. She said: “I just found that I enjoyed the sport and being with Leeds meant I was learning at speed. I always play with a smile on my face and that’s something that the RAF team has. Sure, I have found myself in situations where I think ‘What on earth is going on?’, but I just smile and enjoy it.” It is the moments of real transition that spark Barnes. She said: “I gave my Grand Final T-shirt to a truly special little girl, Paige, who is going through her own personal battles. I received a letter from her this weekend, it said ‘you are my best friend’, and you look at that and think that’s why I cannot give up. “After the IS the RAF girls all got
LEGACY: Encouraging the next generation of players
speaking, they all said they want to be stronger, faster and, most importantly, back next year. How fantastic is that?”