Statement: West Yorkshire Sports and Social Club
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
A proposal between Wakefield Council and Wakefield Trinity RFL could secure the future of a much-loved sports facility and pitches.
Trinity is hoping to make Sandal’s West Yorkshire Sports and Social Club the home of their new training ground. As part of the proposed agreement, Trinity would ensure that the whole site remains a community sports facility. A move welcomed by local residents at a recent public meeting.
The site is owned by Wakefield Council. It is currently leased to a group of trustees who have run the West Yorkshire Sports and Social Club since the 1990s. The Council and trustees have been working closely over recent years to explore options that would protect the site for community sports.
The Council and Trinity are in discussions to start drafting Heads of Terms for the club to take on the lease of the site. The next step is for Wakefield Trinity to submit a planning application. If this is approved the Council and Trinity would enter into a formal lease agreement. At the heart of the emerging proposals is ensuring that existing community sports activity on the site remains available.
“As owners of the land, we know how much this site means to the local community. And we gave our assurance that it would be protected.
“Finding the right solution has taken longer than any of us wanted. And there is still a significant amount of work to do to get this over the line. But the positive response from local residents shows that what we’re putting forward is right for the community.
“The proposal from Wakefield Trinity is a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into the site. And aligns to Trinity’s ambition to maintain its status as a top tier Super League club, which is great news for its supporters and our city. It also secures the site’s future for our residents, ensuring it remains a community and sporting facility, in years to come.”
Cllr Denise Jeffery
Leader of Wakefield Council
Matt Ellis, Owner of Wakefield Trinity, said: “Having a world class training centre for Wakefield Trinity is part of the strategic vision for this great club and is critical to the club’s growth both on and off the pitch. This new facility will benefit all our teams covering Men’s, Women’s, Youth and Inclusion teams.
"Through our Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation, it will enable us to deliver rugby league and many other sports into the community, whilst also providing new and improved sporting facilities for community use, which include the current existing teams and usage.
"This is an extremely exciting time for Wakefield Trinity, our loyal fans, and the district, and whilst there is a long way to go, it's great news for all concerned that we are now at this point in the process, and we welcome the support of the Council and residents in progressing to the next stages.”