One of Leeds' favourite players will be immortalised near the Leeds Rhinos Stadiumthis week.
It's difficult to talk about sports personalities in Leeds without bringing up Kevin Sinfield.
The 41-year-old is one of the most successful rugby players in the UK: no matter which way you look at it. We don't even care that Sinfield is in Leicester instead of Leeds, he will always remain a huge part of Leeds, past and present.
Now, the sports star is being immortalised by the Leeds Street Gallery, a group of keen Leeds Rhinos supporters that have crowdfunded for a mural of Sinfield to make an appearance close to his old kicking ground in Headingley.
Sinfield whilst playing for Leeds Rhinos. / Image: Wikicommons
The painting of the mural is due to begin tomorrow (Friday 11 February) outside Headingley Taps pub in Headingley.
Led by avid Leeds Rhinos fan Dan Whitley, the group of fans have raised all the costs for the mural and have enlisted the skills of Leeds Street Gallery and James Archer (JA Murals) to bring their concept to life.
Work is due to commence outside Headingley Taps. / Image: Headingley Taps, TripAdvisor
Leeds Street Gallery set up street art sites for artists to use around Leeds and also provide artists for homegrown artists to promote their names within the public eye.
Having been inspired by the murals of sports stars that line our streets, including the one of Josh Warrington on Kirkstall Road which was also curated by Leeds Street Gallery, the group banded together to impress Sinfield with a mural of his own.
The rugby player is more than deserving of the mural too. After a whirlwind year of splitting his time between sports and raising money to support friend Rob Burrow with the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the sports star was granted an OBE by the Queen.
Sinfield ran 101 miles to raise money for MNDA last year. / Image: Leicester Tigers
Last November, Kevin Sinfield raised over £2 million completed a 101 mile run in 24 hours to raise money for Leeds Hospitals Charity and Motor Neurone Disease Association and that wasn’t the first time that Sinfield has pushed himself to raise money for charity either.
Last December, the rugby coach raised over £2.7 million for the charity after running seven marathons in seven days.
Rhinos legend Rob Burrow was given a mural in 2020. / Image: Rob Burrow, Twitter
Behind Leeds Street Gallery is a group of local volunteers, who give their time and waive any fees for consultation so that the community has a space to bring projects like this to life. The team work on the project in addition to their full-time jobs, but it is thought that the mural will appear in a completed state fairly soon.
Work begins tomorrow on the mural, you'll be able to witness the progress yourself outside Headingley Taps pub in Headingley.
Feature Image- Sebastian Graser, Unsplash
News
A new açai cafe promising to be Leeds’ ‘neighbourhood social club’ is opening soon
An independent açai bowl pop-up is opening a permanent cafe in Leeds city centre.
It seems the açai bowl trend isn't over just yet, and we're absolutely not mad about it.
The aesthetically purple frozen treat isn't just delicious, but is also known to have numerous health benefits making it guilt-free and the perfect post-workout pick me up.
You may remember Açai Social Club that opened as a pop-up in the Victoria Quarter last year, and now they're moving into a permanent spot in the city centre.
Run by a lovely husband and wife duo who have spent the last 15 months exploring cafes around the world, it's safe to say they know exactly what they're talking about.
Their açai is made with the very best ingredients, topped with the freshest fruit and sprinkled with their homemade granola - it doesn't get much better then that does it?
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, they said: "Açai Social Club is getting a home. Our very first store is officially on the way! We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a space that’s more about than just açai.
"What started as an idea is finally becoming something you can walk into…There’s still a lot we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we’re so excited to finally share the beginning of what’s to come.
"We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you in. Your new neighbourhood social club, coming soon."
The exact location of the cafe and its opening date is still under wraps, but we'll of course keep you updated as and when we find out.
Inside FaceGym – Leeds’ newest facial fitness studio loved by celebrities
Clementine Hall
We hope you're ready for your workout, because FaceGym has landed in Leeds.
You may be wondering...what on earth is Facegym? And to be fair, you've got a point.
FaceGym, as they themselves describe it, a 'non-invasive fitness studio concept for the face' using high-intensity facial massage, hand manipulation, and electrical muscle stimulation technology to tone, lift, and sculpt the face without surgery.
Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and it feels just as fancy from the moment you step through the door.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Unsurprisingly, it's loved by celebrities worldwide who are looking to get snatched and ditch their gua sha.
Currently occupying five standalone stores in London, one in Cambridge as well as a pop-up in Space NK in Selfridges Manchester, FaceGym will be opening this Friday 18 September inside the coveted Victoria Gate, taking over a 1,772 square foot studio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space really does look like a gym, ditching the standard beauty salon aesthetic for an American-style gym interior complete with the iconic red FaceGym balls all over the place.
A signature sculpt costs £110 for a 45 minute treatment, so it's definitely a treat if you're looking to have skin that can reflect the sun and cheekbones for days.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Angelo Castello, chief executive at Facegym, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Facegym to Leeds and to open in the beautiful Victoria Gate. The city has a thriving beauty, wellness, and retail scene, making it the perfect location for our next studio.
“We’ve seen growing demand from customers across Yorkshire, and we can’t wait to introduce even more people to the benefits of facial fitness.”
You can find out more and book a treatment at FaceGym via their website here.
Sophie Smith -
10th February 2022 
