Kathryn Forshaw explains: “Our club is called Woolston Rovers and we have been around for over 50 years. We are a community based Rugby League club with players from age 5 to age 55. our team is the Under 9s and most of our players are aged around eight “.
From that we promised ourselves that one day we would do something to help again so when we began to look for sponsors for our kit I decided to give something to have the Happy House logo on the shorts. We wanted to use this as a way to help the boys start to look outside of their own team and learn and support other children in need.
Every week when they play we can remind them of why they have the logo on their shorts and talk about how we can help.
Every child will play and learn irrespective of whether the are an outstanding athete or can hardly catch a ball! We have seen dramatic changes in children when they come to the club and start to play – teachers have commented on the change they have seen at school and parents have seen changes at home.
This is especially true for children with special needs as the inclusive, team nature of the game allows children to participate where they have not been able to do so before. My son has learning difficulties and has gone from being the awkward child who couldn’t catch a ball to being a young coach and referee and I have seen him grow and develop as a result. In a very small way we hope that we too are making a difference to the lives of some children.”
Our picture shows some of the young Under 9 players and the design for their shorts with the our logo. Thanks and lots of love to Kathryn, Ryan and everyone at Woolston Rovers.