Workington Town’s inspiring Town on Tour initiative is encouraging young rugby league players across West Cumbria and held its first training session for 2026.
The latest stop was Aspatria, following visits to Seaton Rangers, Cockermouth Titans and Glasson Rangers last year.
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.
Full Fibre broadband provider Fibrus, shirt and stadium sponsors of Workington Town, have continued their support for the club by providing goodie bags and foam fingers for all attending.
Seventy children aged five to 14 took part in the Aspatria session.
Full-back Zarrin Galea was one of the Town players passing on tips.
The Maltese international, who was joint Betfred League 1 Player of the Year in 2025, sees it as a chance to give the youngsters similar opportunities that he had.
He said: “For us to be able to come to these clubs which are further apart gives the kids an extra chance to have more exposure to rugby league and the benefits it can provide.
“I like to use my own experience as an example of why people should play rugby and be involved in sport in general.
“It’s not just playing the sport that has benefitted me, it’s the external stuff, like the people you meet, the opportunities it gives you.
“I’ve been able to travel the world and progress my aspirations outside of sport, having these core skills I’ve learned through rugby league, like discipline, a good work ethic, respect and responsibility – stuff like that can be transferred to everyday life. And I think it’s important to give the kids that opportunity as well.”
Jobert Fermilan, who was watching his son Leo take part in the session, said: “He is enjoying himself playing rugby, learning different skills, being with other people that he’s never played with before.
“It’s great that Workington Town are here coaching. There’s some of the women’s first teamers and men’s first teamers coaching the kids and it’s really good to see what they are doing to build up that community in Cumbria, and to love and enjoy rugby.”
The Town on Tour project is supported by key partners, including main partner No Name Travel Ltd, The Decommissioning Alliance, and Maryport Bodyworks & Car Centre, whose funding helps make the sessions possible.
Debbie McNicholas, community club manager at Workington Town, was delighted to see so many children taking part, many for the first time – and despite the bad weather.
She said: “There are quite a few little ones who have just moved to the area and are trying rugby league. It’s great that we’ve got a mix of the ladies team and the men’s team because it means there’s good role models for the boys and the girls.
“The Aspatria coaches have been absolutely brilliant and offered us all sorts of help with the training.
“It’s lovely to see the little ones joining in because they can see what the older ones have achieved and they can see what they’ll be able to do when they get older.
“It’s great as well because they can go to Workington and see both these teams play on a weekend which is really good.”
Colin Hutchinson, group MD of Fibrus, said: “This is a fantastic initiative by Workington Town and one we’re proud to continue supporting.
“The club is not only helping to develop the next generation of Town supporters and potentially players, but also introducing children to sport and all the wider benefits that come with it.”
