Leeds Akademiks was founded in 2003 by students from the three Universities of Leeds to provide a pathway from Student Rugby League to open age amateur rugby league. The club was admitted into the North East Division of the Rugby League Conference in 2003, playing out of West Park Bramhope RUFC.

The club won the North East divisional title in its first ever season and repeated the feat 12 month later after joining the newly formed Yorkshire Division in 2004.

Leeds Akademiks had to change its moniker to Akkies due to a legal challenge from an American clothing brand named Akademik in 2005. The newly renamed Leeds Akkies joined the new Central Premier Division, defeating Hull Phoenix in the inaugural Grand Final. The club progressed to that season's prestigious Harry Jepson (national) Grand Final, losing to a Bridgend Blue Bulls side which included former dual-code internationals John Devereux, Allan Bateman and Kevin Ellis.