Community Foundation support St Judes festival
Wigan Warriors Community Foundation supported local club Wigan St Judes with an U7s rugby festival over the Bank Holiday weekend.
There were 260 junior participants in attendance from Wigan St Judes, Wigan St Patricks, Wigan St Cuthberts, Hindley, Heysham Atoms, Chorley Panthers, Wigan Bulldogs, Shevington Sharks, Pilkington Recs, Thatto Heath, Accrington Wildcats, Ince Rose Bridge and Ashton Bears.
The whole day was deemed a huge success with all the participants having a great day and showcasing their rugby skills in front of a massive community turn out.
Craig Horrigan coach of Wigan St Judes U7s first approached Wigan Warriors with the idea and how we could support the event which also included BBQ, face painting stall, two bouncy castles, emergency vehicles, free CPR training, variety of raffles, Max the mascot and a Wigan Warriors stall.
Warriors first team players Cade Cust, Jai Field, Sam Powell, Iain Thornley, James McDonnell, and Kai Pearce-Paul were all available for pictures, autographs, and support each of the teams playing and presented them all with a well-deserved medal at the end of the festival.
Former Wigan St Judes juniors now of Wigan Warriors Academy – Reece Stanton, Lewis Pinder, Harvie Makin and Tom Ratchford also supported the day offering free session with the juniors in between the games and encouraging all participants during the games.
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Speaking on the event, Craig Horrigan, Wigan St Judes U7s Coach said: “As U7’s coaches our main goal is for the kids to enjoy rugby league and to gradually develop their skills. We saw this as a great opportunity to bring the clubs from across the league together on one day for a festival. I reached out to the local councillor David Hurst who with his colleagues agreed to fund the day through their brighter borough fund. This funding proved vital to running the day and making sure we could provide entertainment apart from the rugby.
“We have been supported by so many organisations, the fire service provided an engine for the children to sit in and have pictures with. The ambulance service provided a vehicle, CPR course and their mascot Pandamedic. Bouncy castles, cake stalls a BBQ were all present so when the players had down time they were well looked after and entertained. But the main attraction and support was the Wigan Warriors marquee. At such a young impressionable age meeting your idols is priceless and something that they will be telling their friends for years.”
He added: “The behaviour and conduct of both players and supporters were a credit to their clubs and themselves and helped with the smooth running of a very busy day. All in all, the day was a huge success for the sport of rugby league and Under 7s. Hopefully the word spreads and classmates and friends of the players will show interest in wanting to play and go to their local teams and the sport which we love continues to grow. A massive thank you from all at Wigan St Jude’s to everyone who was involved on the day from players to volunteers as without them there would not have been a festival.”
Danny Fullerton, Rugby Development Manager at Wigan Warriors Community Foundation, added: “Wigan Warriors Community Foundation are committed to supporting all junior rugby players and community clubs with their own development and this event has been great to be involved with and Craig has done a fantastic job bringing the 13 teams together. To see the playing fields at St Jude’s full of juniors playing rugby alongside the other fun activities throughout the day really is showcasing what a great rugby community we have in the town. To see hundreds of families coming together in such a positive way it’s important that we continue the momentum and as a foundation would like to support more festivals hosted at community clubs for all ages and encourage more playing opportunities throughout the year.”
If your club would like more info and how we could support you please feel free to contact Danny Fullerton on d.fullerton@wiganwarriors.com.
