An initiative by Workington Town rugby league side is continuing to inspire young players across West Cumbria.
Town on Tour sees star players from the team visit local junior teams to deliver fun training sessions and promote grassroots sport.
The latest stop was Maryport’s Glasson Rangers, following successful earlier sessions with Seaton Rangers and Cockermouth Titans.
The programme, run by the Workington Town Community Trust, aims to strengthen links between the professional club and community teams while encouraging more young people to get active and involved in rugby league.
Broadband provider Fibrus, the shirt and stadium sponsors of Workington Town, provided goodie bags and foam fingers for those attending.
Full-back Zarrin Galea was one of the players at the Glasson session, along with prop forward Grant Reid.
The Maltese international, who was recently named joint Betfred League 1 Player of the Year, said: “This is the third event we’ve done with the local community.
“We visit the local clubs, help provide coaching, and help get Workington out there.
“The way I see it is we help get kids involved in sport and, if they play rugby league and stick around in the sport, then that’s great for us.”
For young players like eight-year-old Quinn Hay, of Seaton, the sessions have been both enjoyable and educational.
“It’s really good, really fun,” he said. “I’ve learned to carry the ball, not hold the ball out wide because it could get knocked out of your hand, and to go low to tackle.”
The Town on Tour project is supported by partners including main partner No Name Travel Ltd, The Decommissioning Alliance, and Maryport Bodyworks & Car Centre, whose funding helps make the sessions possible.
Graeme Peers, chairman of Workington Town, added “We took Town on Tour to help get kids involved in sport and get the sport and Workington Town name out there.
“Fibrus has provided great support for the programme, and added the gifts of a goodie bag and fun foam finger to take to Town games to make the experience even better for the children at the camps.
“It’s great that Fibrus is getting involved in our local communities, and the kids get a little keepsake and a functional item like a boot bag to carry their sporting equipment.”
