Community Foundation Warrior Days

• 2022 saw Wigan Warriors Community Foundation launch their ‘Warrior Days.’
• The days involve fun skill development sessions delivered to Primary School children.
• To find out more, email community@wiganwarriors.com.

Warrior Day Packages have seen our Wigan Warriors Community Foundation coaching team spend a full day in schools providing an insight into what a day looks like as one first team players.

These sessions have taken place in various primary schools across Wigan with our most recent being at St. Benedict’s Primary School.

Over the course of the day each child took part in three one-hour sessions which included a skill development session and a competitive tournament, giving those that are new to the game the opportunity to develop the basic skills of Rugby League and providing those who already play a platform to showcase their ability.

We have also had the ability to take the wheelchairs that are used by our Wigan Warriors Wheelchair Super League team to give the children a new experience. On the back of the success of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, Wheelchair rugby has received a growth in audience due to the tempo and fierceness of the games. These opportunities have given children an insight into the high level of skill needed to take part in the sport.

Scott Rafferty, Schools Education manager said “It’s been fantastic project for us so far that’s given us the opportunity to introduce Rugby League to new audiences whilst also providing challenges to those that have an existing passion for the sport. Our aim for the day is to provide pupils with an insight into what it’s like to be a Professional Rugby League player and train like a warrior, hoping that the children that take part are going home and asking to go down to their local Community Clubs if they aren’t playing already.

He added: “It’s also brilliant for us to get our coaches together to showcase the work that they do day in day out in schools and highlights the strength we have in our delivery team. The feedback from schools has been refreshing as it gives them an opportunity to use these sessions as CPD for future delivery.”

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Jackie Fowler, School Business Manager as St Benedict’s added: “After watching the Rugby League World Cup and in particular England’s fantastic success in the Wheelchair rugby. We felt as we work closely with Wigan Warriors this was a fantastic opportunity to give our pupils a new experience, and Scott and his team were more than happy to put together a Rugby Development Day for us to promote sport, rugby and more importantly – the inclusivity of Wheelchair rugby within school.

“At the same time, our School Council were having discussions around raising awareness for the less mobile, and this day would raise awareness across all the classes. They were keen to show that we should take consideration of everyone in all we do.”

Michelle Ainscough, PE Co-ordinator at St Benedict’s said: “As the PE co-ordinator I am always trying to find ways to actively involve more children and trying even harder to promote sport for everyone. This rugby development day did just that.

“Every child was fully involved in every activity. The less confident children were praised constantly whilst playing games that developed new skills and built on old skills and this encouraged and inspired. The more confident children were thoroughly challenged through the tournament side and were able to demonstrate their abilities when put into a competitive situation.

She added: “Finally, all children having a go to experience the Wheelchairs showed children that barriers can always be overcome, and we must continue to work hard to keep including more and more people in sport, as it is so rewarding in many ways. Children have already commented on what an amazing day they had and are already asking when the next one is. Days like these are the primary school memories some of our children will remember for a very long time.”

If you would like any more information regarding one of our Warrior Day packages or any other sessions provided by our Community Foundation, please contact s.rafferty@wiganwarriors.com.