FORMER Warrington & Vale Royal College student Pat Moran is making a name for himself in the world of rugby league, after making his debut for Warrington Wolves in their 54-6 Challenge Cup victory over Bradford Bulls.
Pat, aged 20, came off the bench during Sunday’s victory, which saw Wolves book themselves a place in the sixth round of the competition.
The young prop forward who studied at St Edmund Arrowsmith School pupil before enrolling at Warrington & Vale Royal College, followed in the footsteps of fellow Wire player Harvey Livett, with both having completed the level 3 rugby league at the Winwick Road campus.
The course is run in association with Warrington Wolves and gives students the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge to enhance their playing style, as well as earning coaching badges at the same time.
Following his debut, Pat described the experience as “unbelievable”.
Pat – a former Wigan St Judes ARLFC player – has praised Warrington & Vale Royal College in the past for its part in getting him to where he is today.
He said: “The rugby league course at Warrington & Vale Royal College helped me academically by giving me the knowledge of the game and an understanding of what goes on behind the scenes on the business side. The course also helped me to gain my level 1 coaching badge.”
Pat became a first-team squad member with Wolves in 2016, giving impressive displays with their Under 19s side. He played in 19 of their 20 fixtures last season, scoring three tries, and also played for the reserves. He was also included in the England Academy squad in 2016.
Ryan McNeely, lecturer in sport at the college, said: “It is always great to see our former students succeed and for Pat to make his debut in Warrington Wolves’ first team squad, in a Challenge Cup tie, is an incredible achievement. For the college to have two former students in the first team squad at one of the biggest rugby league clubs is something that we are very proud of.
“Being able to help promising young players to reach their sporting and career goals is something we pride ourselves on and is the reason that we do what we do each day. Pat’s success is sure to inspire our current students, and our future students, to do their utmost to follow and reach their own dreams. We’re excited to see how Pat progresses within the Wolves squad and wish him luck with his future career.”
To find out more about the opportunities available at Warrington & Vale Royal College, visit wvr.ac.uk or visit their open evening on Wednesday 27th June at our Winsford campus.
