Schools across Preston take part in inaugural Rugby League tournament devised by PNE's Community and Education Trust and hosted by UCLan
The first tournament of its kind in Preston has seen primary schools in the area participating in a rugby league tag competition, which has been inspired by the Rugby League World Cup 2021.
Co-hosted by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Preston City Council, the Welsh national side has made Preston their home for the duration of the World Cup, and one of the drivers behind offering a base camp to the team is to encourage participation in the sport.
Held at the UCLan Sports Arena, players from the world-cup squad - including team captain Elliott Kear and most capped Wales player Rhys Williams - were on hand to help give school children tips and advice, as well as award prizes to the winning team and standout players.
Primary schools, St Andrews, Goosnargh Oliverson's, Ribbleton Avenue Juniors, Queens Drive, Whitefield (with two teams), St Maria Goretti, Grange, St Josephs, and Sherwood all attended the event, with St Andrew’s being declared the tournament winners.
Winning player Sam from St Andrews said: “I was a bit nervous but it’s been really fun playing with my friends and when I met the Wales players it made it feel real and exciting.”
"I was a bit nervous but it’s been really fun playing with my friends and when I met the Wales players it made it feel real and exciting."
— Winning player Sam, from St Andrews primary school
Rhys Williams, leading try score for the Wales Men’s Rugby League team, said: “It’s great to see everyone enjoying themselves and picking up some rugby league skills along the way. Hopefully they’re enjoying us being here and seeing what we’re all about.”
Dr Adrian Ibbetson, Director of Sport at UCLan, added: "What a fantastic platform to launch our first-ever rugby league tag competition. We’re delighted to see the Wales players really embrace working with the local community and hope the pupils taking part will leave the tournament feeling inspired by the athletes and want to learn more about this brilliant sport.”
Cllr Jenny Mein of Preston City Council commented: "Increasing participation in this exciting game and helping people lead active lives were just a few reasons why we wanted to host the men's Wales Rugby League Team during their World Cup campaign.
"Doing so has helped capture the interest of schools, and with the excellent work the Community Education Trust has done, we can see involvement in the sport increasing. It's exactly what we want to see happening as sport is fantastic at helping enhance a healthy lifestyle but builds social interaction too."
"What a fantastic platform to launch our first-ever rugby league tag competition. We’re delighted to see the Wales players really embrace working with the local community and hope the pupils taking part will leave the tournament feeling inspired by the athletes and want to learn more about this brilliant sport."
— Dr Adrian Ibbetson, Director of Sport at UCLan
