Youngsters found themselves being coached by top rugby league players as Rugby League World Cup fever hits Bolton - and the country.
Children from schools around Bolton were given the chance to play rugby league ahead of England’s match against France at the University of Bolton Stadium this Saturday.
They were greeted by stars of the men’s and women’s game, including Maxime Puech, Paul Marcon and Maxime Stefani of the French men’s national team, and Wigan Warriors’ captain Rachel Thompson.
The training sessions, organised by Bolton Council and Wigan Warriors, took place at Bolton Arena, with children of all ages trying out the sport.
Team manager of the French national team, David Collado, said: “We’re proud, very proud, to share with young people here and to be this involved with them as a national team.
“We’re happy as soon as we can to get our professionals to come to play with young kids and play with the ball with them.”
England international and Wigan Warriors women’s captain, Rachel Thompson, started off in rugby league at nearby Westhoughton Lions.
She said: “When I was eight, my brother played down there and I just kind of went down to give it a go.
“Rugby league is not massive in Bolton, but people don’t realise there are different variations, like tag rugby, it’s not just this scary contact sport.
“If you give them a ball and let them have fun with their friends, that’s when they realise it’s more than just being mashed about.”
She continued: “I was the only girl on my team, but a club like Westhoughton never made me feel any different because I was a girl.
“I went on to play for England, I suppose it’s because of those local amateur clubs that we stay in the game.
“I’ve come to these things where kids have gone ‘I don’t like rugby’ but then realise there’s more to it, it’s just a bit of fun, they loved it and that’s what it’s all about.”
Head of Community Foundation at Wigan Warriors, Guy Wood, said: “We’ve got these events that involve primary schools up to high schools, getting kids aged 3-18 involved in rugby league.
“These events allow our staff to come and promote ourselves to teachers and pupils. We’ve already worked with 700 people primary and high school children.
“Hopefully the aim is to get these people to play for their amateur team and grow the sport.”
Cllr Hilary Fairclough, whose Deputy Leader’s Portfolio includes sports, said: “When we made the bid for this in 2018-19 we were really excited about it coming to Bolton, obviously Covid got in the way, but we’ve really hit the ground running with it.
“We’ve had some fantastic events and really awakened people to the sport. I think we’ll find over the next few years things will change.
“We want to inspire young people to take part in sport, any type of sport, giving them a chance to train up with professional players and trainers.”
Neil Hutchinson, Managing Director of Bolton Arena, said: “We are excited to be helping grow the grass roots game by working with local schools to give young people a chance to try rugby league.
“We are really looking forward to Saturday’s game and to welcoming supporters and families by opening up our hospitality.”
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