Players association donate £5000 to Schools competitions

On Wednesday 7th September, the players association got together, to launch their new partnership with the Saints Community Development Foundation to support delivery of the St Helens Schools cup competitions for both girls and boys.

A healthy number of guests attended to listen to a superb top table of Paul Groves, Bernard Dwyer, Graham Liptrot and chairman Harry Pinner as they sat on the panel and told several humorous tales of their illustrious careers with the Saints. Other committee members and former players Kevin Wellens, Mike Bowes, Paul Loughlin, Chris Arkwright and Peter Harvey also attended the event, along with other hall of fame inductees George Nichols, Kel Coslett, Billy Beynon and Roy Mathias added their support. Former Saint Bob Blackwood and Widnes rugby league legend Jim Mills were also present at the event.

Former player Tommy Frodsham upheld the evening and said “The feedback from those who attended and all those involved was brilliant. The evening was well supported and to top it off, we presented our first cheque for £5000 to the Saints Community Development Foundation, which is an amount we hope to raise each year.

The event is something that we will be looking to hold again in the future, to help support our partnership with the SCDF and Schools’ competition!”

Steve Leonard stated “There was quite an array of talent in the room that’s for sure. What was particularly poignant was the number of these stars who themselves had played schools rugby league and the memories they still have about their time playing for their school.

Therefore, our continued support of the school’s programme is a vital piece of the Foundations jigsaw.

Last season saw a first in schools rugby league with the St Helens Girls Rugby league finals being staged at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Again, another piece of partnership working between the club and the foundation showing the way to the rest of Super League. Thanks to the Saints Players association for their forward thinking an again for helping us lead from the front”