SpoonRugby
DEVELOPING A
LEAGUE OF
OUR OWN
Julian Crabtree reports on the developing relationship
between Wooden Spoon and Rugby League
hy it has taken so long It is a simple scheme: take
W
for Rugby League and those kids known for truancy,
Wooden Spoon to join trouble making and general
forces is anyone’s guess, but under-achieving and put them
they have finally come into an intense ten-week
together and in true 13-man educational course at their local
style they have made an Rugby League club.
immediate impact. “These are great facilities and
like the clubs themselves, these
Rugby League prides itself on its educational centres have become
strong working class values and very important for that
has a proud history of looking community,” explained Richard
after their own. Smith, Yorkshire Chairman of
In fact the Northern Rugby Wooden Spoon.
Football Union’s decision to fight “It certainly seems to be
for players’ compensation in working because when these
1895 resulted in them splitting kids go back to school, their
from the RFU and forming what attention and their retention is
has developed into Rugby so much better,” explained
League. Smith.
Today, with players like Andy “Yes, it is ten weeks of
Farrell, Scott Quinnell, Jonathan intensive class work, but because
Davies, Lesley Vainikolo, Jason it is held at the grounds where
Robinson and Brian Carney, their heroes train, they come
making an impact in both sports, along and their whole attitude to
it was obvious that Wooden school work changes. We have
Spoon would also become a specialist teachers employed and
cross-code convert. under their tutelage and with the
David Oxley, former Rugby encouragement of the players,
Football League Chief Executive these kids get inspired.” indeed – it is that spirit that is so to it’s values and vision it is
and Wooden Spoon member for important to the sense of social rugby’s charity. We see an
over 20 years is delighted that The fact that money raised in responsibility. opportunity to work with Spoon
the two have finally found each Yorkshire goes straight back into to promote this within the
other. Yorkshire is also a keen selling Adam Jude, Community League constituent and establish
“It seemed natural to me that point for both League and the Marketing Manager for the RFL a solid partnership.”
Wooden Spoon and Rugby Yorkshire branch of Wooden is excited about the Wooden
League would mutually benefit,” Spoon. Spoon and Rugby League Playing for Success is the first big
explained Oxley. “We want to target social partnership and is well placed to linkage between Spoon and the
“I firmly believe that league disadvantage, rather than the know how important it will be game of Rugby League, but
could become a major sponsor more obvious ‘aah’ factor,” for the community. there are plenty of opportunities
like the Home Unions in Rugby explained Smith. “There is a lot of synergy with and some real fundraising
Union. The big thing about “Playing for Success can be life what Wooden Spoon is trying to possibilities.
Rugby League is that it has changing, someone actually tells achieve, especially with Knowing the commitment of
always been, and still is, very these kids that they are worth disadvantaged children. Both both those involved in Rugby
much part and parcel of the something and that they are not want to work on social League and those involved in
community.” useless. They settle down with development,” said Jude. Wooden Spoon, it can only
their work and hopefully will go “All of Rugby League’s 34 mean a promising future for the
The ‘Playing For Success’ on to do well.” professional clubs have got partnership and the communities
initiative is the perfect example dedicated community staff and they are determined to help.
of this community spirit as The strength of the club in the we are in a really unique position
Wooden Spoon has helped clubs community is hard to ignore and to contribute to community life.
like Featherstone, Wakefield and even at Super League level you The key for us is that Spoon
Above: League players, Andy Coley,
Hull KR develop learning centres still have local lads who have promotes itself as a rugby
Adrian Morely, Jamie Langley and
to help those children battling at come through the ranks making charity, obviously it has it’s
Andy lynch take time from training
prior to the summer test against
school. the core of the club very local origins in union, but to be true France to meet Woody.
26 Spoonews Autumn 2007
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