Sport students help deliver more than 4,000 rugby league sessions

SPORT students from Warrington & Vale Royal College have teamed up with Warrington Wolves Community Trust to bring more than 4,000 rugby league sessions to primary school children from across Cheshire.

The week-long event saw level 3 students direct a number of refereeing and training sessions, all with the aim of helping youngsters better understand the popular sport.

Each student was given a role to play, whether that be co-ordinating the “round robin” style event, or officiating individual sessions.

Among the students taking part was former University Academy Warrington pupil, Zoe Finnerty.

Zoe said: “Supporting this event has given us all great experience of coaching and officiating that will definitely help us in the future. It was great to be able to take part in such a fantastic event – everyone had a really good time.”

Fellow student Kieran Bellamy, a former Bedford High School pupil, said: “The event allowed us to put the skills and knowledge that we are learning in the classroom to the test, and gain experience of coaching children of a younger age.”

The event was organised as part of the college’s continued partnership with Warrington Wolves and its charitable foundations.

Other students from Warrington & Vale Royal College involved in the week were: Josh Saxon, Callum Mac, Ben Hesketh, Callum Barnett, Liam Clark, Jared Bouch, Jade Harrison, Caitlyn Williams, Matt Rudd, Mike Rushton and Cameron Gater.

Ryan McNeely, lecturer in sport at the college, said: “This event was a prime example of the work our sport students get to participate in on a regular basis. Being able to take part in such an event gives our students the opportunity to get first-hand experience of coaching young children – something that many of them will go on to do as they embark on a career in the industry.

“It also gives our learners fantastic experience of leading a large scale event, with multiple activities running at the same time, and also shows that they can work well as part of a team. Every single one of the students that took part did an absolutely fantastic job, and we look forward to continuing to enhance their learning experience through our partnerships with external agencies like Warrington Wolves Community Trust.”

Pictured: Student group photo (L to R), Josh Saxon, Callum Mack, Zoe Finnerty, Ben Hesketh, Callum Barnett, Liam Clark, Jared Bouch.