Online sessions deemed huge success
- Wigan Warriors Community Foundation engaged with over 1,600 juniors and over 100 amateur rugby clubs during third UK lockdown.
- Multiple online projects saw interaction with young rugby players aged 5-16, boys and girls.
- Click here to watch an interview on Wigan TV with head of community Martin McLoughlin on the roaring success.
Following the return of outdoor activities and community Rugby League, online sessions hosted by Wigan Warriors Community Foundation during the third UK lockdown have been deemed a huge success with over 1,600 juniors involved and over 100 amateur rugby clubs represented throughout the UK and Ireland.
The Community Foundation have been running multiple projects during lockdown to support the junior game – interacting with rugby players aged 5-16 years, boys and girls. Click here to watch an interview on Wigan TV with head of community Martin McLoughlin who talks about the success the Community Foundation have had during lockdown.
Latest online sessions hosted by the Community Foundation were in partnership with fellow Betfred Super League clubs Salford Red Devils and Warrington Wolves – as part of the England Talent Pathway programme, which aimed to support the community game in preparation for the return after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
The free open access online training sessions were aimed at boys and girls – aged U10s, U11s-U12s and U13-U14s – and covered a variety of core skills and challenges, alongside advice from former Great Britain international and current England pathways coach Paul Sculthorpe. In total, 360 children booked on to the sessions and 42 clubs were represented.
Danny Fullerton, Wigan Warriors community development officer, said: “It’s been great to work with Salford and Warrington who share the same passion and commitment to support junior Rugby League’s return.
“It has been amazing to see so many children sign-up and join the sessions and I hope we can continue to engage with these juniors and more as we aim to grow our delivery in the local community and beyond.”
Sculthorpe, who has been heavily involved in the planning and delivering of the sessions, said: “Each Sunday session has been great to be involved with. The kids are buzzing to get back to Rugby League. All three clubs have been enthusiastic and put great skill sessions on, which I know will help the players in their future development.”
Phil Jones, RFL talent inclusion manager, added: “When Danny Fullerton from the Warriors came to me with his idea of a joint online England talent pathway session, I thought it was great idea and especially that he wanted to work with other Super League clubs. Salford, Warrington and Wigan have been fantastic ambassadors for the sport and I would really like to thank Danny Fullerton (Wigan), Lee Mitchell (Warrington) and Danny Barton (Salford) alongside some of their colleagues for planning, organising and being club presenters for the sessions.”
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