Half-term sessions a huge success
- Virtual half-term coaching sessions see over 350 children involved.
- Over 65 amateur clubs represented in the sessions hosted by the Community Foundation on Wednesday.
- Sessions to continue every Wednesday in new programme called Warrior Wednesday.
With over 350 children involved and 67 amateur rugby clubs represented, Wigan Warriors Community Foundation’s half-term virtual training sessions have been deemed a huge success.
Designed to keep children active during a lockdown half-term, the Community Foundation delivered a free virtual open access training programme throughout the day on Wednesday.
There were three 90-minute online sessions on offer (split based on primary school and high school age lines) for boys and girls, ranging from ages 5-16 years.
The sessions – delivered by Foundation staff and Warriors Women players – focused on developing the children’s core skills, as well as including fun challenges and fitness.
Community development officer, Danny Fullerton, said: “The Foundation recognises how important it is to make a positive impact engaging with children during lockdown. As a team we are successfully doing that with the previous Winter Warrior programme that engaged with over 500 children and on Wednesday with over 350 kids being active and having a lot of fun at the same time. It’s fantastic to see.”
Women’s captain Rachel Thompson, who delivered the girls’ virtual sessions, said: “The sessions went really well, and we had great interaction with the girls. There were around 40 girls from lots of different teams that joined in. The girls were great at getting stuck in with the drills and skills and had a smile on their faces doing some fitness. Although these are difficult time at the moment, it was great to see that they are still wanting to interact and work hard on their rugby.
“The Women’s first team players were a massive help in providing those smiles. They were great with the girls and they all brought something different – it was great and refreshing to see.”
Jack Elwick, a Wigan fan who plays for Wigan St Judes ARLFC Under-12s, said: “I found the sessions really fun and I really enjoyed today it. I was glad to see some of my mates also taking part. The best parts of the session were all the fun challenges we did that made me think and improve my skills. I’m really glad there are more sessions to come.”
The Community Foundation are delighted to continue delivering free virtual sessions on a weekly basis with ‘Warrior Wednesday’.
Starting on Wednesday 24th February, the Foundation will deliver more open access rugby-related training sessions to boys and girls aged 5-16 years. Find out more and sign up here.
The majority of amateur players who took part in the half-term sessions on Wednesday represented their club kits, with 67 rugby clubs represented overall, including some from the midlands, London and Wales.
See the full list below of all the amateur clubs represented on the half-term virtual sessions:
- Aber Vally Wolves
- Accrington Wildcats
- Ashton Bears
- Askam
- Bank Quay Bulls
- Bargoed RFC
- Birmingham Bulldogs
- Blackbrook
- Blackwood RFC
- Brixton Bulls
- Burtonwood
- Cadishead
- Chelmsford RFC
- Chorley Panthers
- Clock Face
- Coventry Bears
- Crosfields
- Elland RLFC
- Farnley Falcons
- Folly Lane
- Glamorgan Wanderers
- Golborne Parkside
- Halton
- Haresfinch
- Heysham Atoms
- Hindley
- Ince Rose Bridge
- Kells RLFC
- Kirkby Lonsdale
- Langworthy
- Latchford
- Leigh East
- Leigh Miners
- Leigh Rangers
- Liverpool Lions
- Mayfield Mustangs
- Milford Marlins
- Millom
- Newton Storm
- Oldham St Annes
- Orrell St James
- Oulton Raiders
- Oxford RLFC
- Parkside Pirates
- Pilkington Recs
- Rochdale Mayfield
- Ryland Sharks
- Saddleworth
- Salford City
- Seaton Rangers
- Shevington Sharks
- Stanley Rangers
- Thatto Heath
- Tyldesley RLFC
- Waterhead
- Wath Brow
- West Bank
- West Bowling
- Westhoughton Lions
- Wibsey Warriors
- Wigan RUFC
- Wigan St Cuthberts
- Wigan St Judes
- Wigan St Patricks
- Wolverhampton RLFC
- Wolverhampton RUFC
- Woolston
