WARRINGTON Wolves coaching in primary schools south of the Manchester Ship Canal culminated in a festival at Lymm Rugby Club involving hundreds of children.

The town's most senior rugby union club welcomed 300 primary school children to their state-of-the-art artificial grass pitch for the Warrington Wolves Foundation Festival.

The gathering was the culmination of six weeks of coaching by Warrington Wolves Foundation to year 3 and 4 pupils, with the schools involved including Appleton Thorn, Broomfields, Cherry Tree, Grappenhall Heys, Grappenhall St Wilfred's, High Legh, Oughtrington, Ravenbank, Statham and Stretton St Mathews.

Boys and girls were taught basic rugby skills over the period and they were all presented with certificates by Wolves' mascot Wolfie.

Participants were encouraged to continue their rugby journey at their grassroots club, including Lymm Rugby Club, who offer training and games every Sunday morning.

Lymm Rugby Club have a tradition of introducing children to rugby using the RFU's core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship.

The club have teams from under fives to colts and adults, with a current total of 400-plus mini and juniors.

Notable graduates include Ross Harrison and Alex Mitchell of Sale and England respectively, the latter gaining his second cap for England against Italy at the weekend.

Anyone interested in joining Lymm Rugby Club are encouraged to contact Will Hind (M&J Chairman) at will.hind.lymmrugby@gmail.com. Alternatively visit lymmrugby.co.uk

All pictures by Derek York