‘Just Say Yes’ – Rugby Star Kruise Leeming’s Visit To Brighouse High School
Brighouse High School students received a special visit last week when education partner LLS hosted their Rugby Ambassador, Super League star Kruise Leeming, for a motivational assembly and Q&A session.
Kruise Leeming began his professional career at the age of 17 with Huddersfield Giants. He continued his career in Australia before winning the Quadruple in 2024 with Wigan Warriors. Kruise shared his story with our Brighouse High students, emphasising how embracing vulnerability and actively seeking connections helped him on his journey.
Kruise shared candid insights into the mental challenges and opportunities that shaped his professional career, explaining how success comes from overcoming self-doubt:
“I’m exactly like you, I’m a person who feels the feelings of ‘I’m not good enough, it’s too hard, I’m not going to be able to complete it, I’m nervous, I’m scared’—all these feelings that you lot feel.”
His message focused on how students should build relationships that can better their opportunities in the future, stressing that genuine connection requires openness:
“If I want you to be vulnerable with me I have to be vulnerable with you—that’s how connection is formed – through vulnerability.”
Encouraging students to step outside their comfort zone, he highlighted how one small action can lead to unexpected breakthroughs:
“Go for that coffee with that person that you thought you might not have anything in common with —awkward is ok, be vulnerable with them and from that point things start to happen and that all came from one coffee that I had.”
He then challenged the students to shed their self-consciousness and adopt a more proactive approach to life and learning:
“Just say yes to things that you might think you’re a bit scared to do, if it doesn’t look cool, you’re not good at it—just say yes and see what comes off the back of that.”
Following the main assembly, Kruise engaged directly with LLS’ sixth form sports students. The group of aspiring sports professionals enjoyed a workshop which provided invaluable advice on securing careers in the sports industry. Two lucky attendees were gifted with tickets to watch Kruise live, as Wigan Warriors took on Leigh Leopards in the Super League play off semi-final.
In his role as LLS ambassador, Kruise will be kindly giving his time to support young people from Brighouse High, LLS and the Calderdale community.
To learn more about the LLS sixth form multi-sports or rugby programme, visit www.llsonline.uk. Monthly taster sessions are available to Year 11 pupils from October 2025.
