Sporting hat-trick for groups
JON MACPHERSON
HYNDBURN clubs and schools are celebrating after a triple success at the Lancashire Sports Awards.
The ceremony at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel recognises the achievements of groups, schools and individuals across the county over the last 12 months.
Accrington Wildcats Rugby League FC were named Lancashire Club of the Year and Baxenden St John’s CE Primary School won the title of Lancashire Primary School of the Year.
Accrington Academy were also recognised with a Highly Commended award in the Secondary School of the Year Category.
Over the past year Accrington Wildcats Rugby League FC have grown to cater for a wider audience and now coach children from the age of four.
The club are also focused on achieving their aspiration to develop a dedicated girls team in the near future.
Lee Boyer, from Accrington Wildcats, said “Everyone at the club feels extremely proud to have been recognised at both the Hyndburn & Lancashire Sports Awards.
“We believe we offer one of the best value sports in the area with low monthly fees, training all years around and twice in the summer season.
“This year has seen the club develop their active wildcats programme, targeting deprived communities and schools in Hyndburn, offering low cost and free activity, supported by One Stop Shop.
“We have also created two community pro club links and have growing relationship with both Wigan Warriors and Rochdale Hornets.”
Baxenden St John’s CE Primary School has made education regarding sport and physical activity a ‘key priority’ with pupils taking part in Hyndburn Leisure’s Up and Active healthy lifestyles programme and Accrington Stanley Community Trust’s Move to Learn Programme. Headteacher Julie Green said: “We are thrilled to win this award. Our achievements, success and involvement in sport and physical activity are due to pupils’ enthusiasm and staff leadership.
“After achieving the Gold Award for Sport for the last four years, last year we were the first and only school in the Hyndburn & Ribble Valley School Sport Partnership to be eligible and successful to be awarded the Platinum Sports Award for our commitment to School Sport and PE. We look forward to building on this success in the future.”
Accrington Academy’s head of PE Susan Tahraoui said they were ‘really proud’ to be honoured with the Highly Commended award.
She said: “We have led some exciting PE projects across the county over the past year to harness the power of PE and sport, inspiring young people to achieve their goals, make their voices heard and to improve attainment and behaviour.”