Lads lead out squad on derby day
WIDNES Vikings were led out at the Festive Derby against Warrington Wolves on Friday by five inspiring members of the Widnes Vikings Development Squad, in recognition of their support of the NHS.
The Widnes Vikings Development Squad is a unique project that offers all local school boys in Years 6-7 the opportunity to develop their Rugby League skills in a supportive environment.
For some, it represents the first steps on a pathway to becoming a Vikings player in the future.
Development Squad members, Charlie Shone, Joey Nulty, Reuben Taio Mafi, Cameron Billington and Jake Pottle all volunteered at the Vikings recent Winter Health Event with NHS Halton CCG.
The five children all made a commitment to back the Vikings ‘Beat The Scrum’ initiative, which educates the public on how to help take pressure off the NHS by choosing the right health services.
Dave Sweeney, CEO of NHS Halton CCG, says: “We were delighted to have the support of the Development Squad at the event.
“The boys all showed a genuine passion for their NHS and asked some fantastic questions about how they can do their bit to support their local health services.
“It would be incredible if everyone in our borough could follow their lead by educating themselves on how to make the right NHS choices.
“I’m pleased that they enjoyed leading the team out and hope that they felt very proud of this special recognition.”
Roger Harrison, president of the Widnes Vikings Development Squad, says: “Widnes supporters have always been very keen on their heritage.
“Heritage is an integral part of any society and any culture.
“The National Health Service is core to our society; it is our National Health Service, it epitomises what is good, what is empathetic and what is caring about our society
“The values that underpin our health service are the very values that we try to promote to the boys involved in the Development Project.
“Therefore, we were very proud that five mem● bers of the Development Project, Joey Nulty, Reuben Taio Mafi, Cameron Billington, Charlie Shone, and Jake Pottle, accompanied by their parents, represented the Project at Winter Health event.
“The boys learned that our National Health Service is truly at breakingpoint, but that we can all do our little bit to relieve the enormous pressures on the system itself.
“They heard from the individuals who work so tirelessly for the wellbeing of each and every one of us.
“The boys recognised the key element of teamwork as being part of the answer.
“Like in a rugby league environment, each person contributes but it is when we all work together that we achieve success.
“I am just delighted that our youngsters were in at the beginning of the Beat The Scrum concept.
“I look forward to all concerned with the Widnes Vikings Schoolboys Development Project continuing to raise awareness in this area.”
Widnes Vikings supporters can find out more about the Beat The Scrum campaign at: www.beatthescrum.com