GRASSROOTS sport is back – and this group of Warrington schoolchildren were among the first in the country to get back on the pitch.

Year Eight girls from Cardinal Newman High School took part in a rugby league coaching session with the Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation at Victoria Park earlier today to mark restrictions on outdoor sport being lifted.

From today, groups of up to six, or two households, can socialise in parks and gardens once more, while outdoor sports facilities can reopen after the "stay at home" order ended.

Football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, outdoor swimming pools, and sailing clubs are now also free to reopen after months of being shuttered.

Organised team sports can also resume outdoors, meaning grassroots competitions can take place ahead of the Easter break without the need for social distancing.

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

The Cardinal Newman team were playing on the new 3G pitch that has been opened at the Latchford venue which has been funded by CreatedBy – the legacy project for the upcoming 2021 Rugby League World Cup being held in England.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden was on hand to speak to the pupils, as was dual-code rugby star Jason Robinson and Warrington-born England women's rugby league international Jodie Cunningham.

While in Warrington, Mr Dowden also conducted the draw for the third round of this year's Challenge Cup.

> Find out who he drew out to face Warrington Wolves here

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden

Pictures by Mike Boden