Wigan Warriors Community Foundation (WWCF) brought its successful rugby festival to Sacred Heart in Hindley Green and their year four and five pupils.
The six teams were named after famous Wigan Warriors players such as Pat Richards and Sam Tomkins which the children took to heart, creating extra cohesion and passion in their play. The festival was just for fun while promoting health and teamwork.
Mary Wilson who is a year four teacher at Sacred Heart told Wigan Warriors, "The highlight of the children's week is being coached by Tommy Gallagher the community Coach for WWCF; Tommy has built a fantastic relationship with the pupils."
Phillip Mann who teaches the schools year five pupils said, "They play with a smile and as you can see they really enjoy it, it's a window to rugby league for them and they now even watch it on the TV at home!"
Wigan Warriors then caught up with a few pupils who were fresh off the pitch. Matthew, aged 10 told us "I love scoring tries and being coached by Tommy!" Georgia, aged 9 had this to say about the community coach "I wish he could come more often as Tommy is a really good coach!" Eloise, ‘Loves tag rugby' and Dylan told us that there was ‘nothing better than scoring tries'.
Marry Wilson spoke of the relationship shared between the club and school, "We have had a long and productive relationship with Wigan Warriors dating back to years of Central Park, it's one that we are proud and wish for it to continue."
The feeling was mutual however with Gallagher saying he enjoyed his time coaching the pupils of Sacred Heart. When asked about his time at the school he said, "The kids have been really good and it's been really enjoyable, the teachers take a keen interest too, which is really good."
Gallagher continued, "I think it's good when they come back and it's clear they have been practicing the skills I taught them the week before."
Gallagher joined WWCF in March of this year and has coached over a thousand pupils but will be sure to remember Sacred Heart.