Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Sponsors Liverpool St Helens Girls Rugby
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are once again supporting the Liverpool St Helens Girls Rugby section. Continuing an involvement arising from the World Firefighters Games held in Liverpool in 2008, the Fire and Rescue Service are sponsoring the Girls under 15 team in 2010 with a brand new kit.
Mike Hagen, Merseyside’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, recently attended St Helens Fire Station to present the team with the new strip and was delighted to continue the association. “Originally part of the legacy from the World Games the support is now provided from our FireFit initiative” he said. “We aim to develop partnerships with local communities and work with young people promoting safety, fitness and health and we see the link with the girl’s rugby team as an ideal way of doing this.”
LSH Chairman John Bithell welcomed the continued sponsorship saying “The Fire and Rescue Service backing was important when setting up the girls section two years ago. Since then, with the help of John Foster, Community Rugby Coach, it has gone from strength to strength and we are really grateful for their sustained support.”
The girls, after two successful seasons in which many of them have gained Lancashire County honours, are now embarking on their third season in the RFUW North West under 15’s league. Skipper Claudia Dowdeswell, a pupil at De la Salle School St Helens, took up Rugby three years ago and has never looked back. “Although I play other sports this is far more exciting and a lot more fun” she said.
One of the prime movers in the Firefit initiative is Merseyside firefighter Gary Bennett. A former player with St Edwards Old Boys, Gary qualified as a rugby coach as part of the World Games legacy and now puts the time back coaching in schools and at Moss Lane. “It’s been very rewarding “he said. “ There is an ever growing demand in schools and at the club and we are looking to increase the numbers of coaches and mentors involved. It helps me stay fit too!”
Gemma Harkness, Sports Development Officer in St Helens, has supported the initiative throughout as part of the “Active St Helens” strategy and is particularly pleased at the sustained participation. “It’s great to see the numbers increasing.” she said. “LSH now provides quality coaching and sport for girls from age 12 to 18”.
John Williams
Mike Hagen, Merseyside’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, recently attended St Helens Fire Station to present the team with the new strip and was delighted to continue the association. “Originally part of the legacy from the World Games the support is now provided from our FireFit initiative” he said. “We aim to develop partnerships with local communities and work with young people promoting safety, fitness and health and we see the link with the girl’s rugby team as an ideal way of doing this.”
LSH Chairman John Bithell welcomed the continued sponsorship saying “The Fire and Rescue Service backing was important when setting up the girls section two years ago. Since then, with the help of John Foster, Community Rugby Coach, it has gone from strength to strength and we are really grateful for their sustained support.”
The girls, after two successful seasons in which many of them have gained Lancashire County honours, are now embarking on their third season in the RFUW North West under 15’s league. Skipper Claudia Dowdeswell, a pupil at De la Salle School St Helens, took up Rugby three years ago and has never looked back. “Although I play other sports this is far more exciting and a lot more fun” she said.
One of the prime movers in the Firefit initiative is Merseyside firefighter Gary Bennett. A former player with St Edwards Old Boys, Gary qualified as a rugby coach as part of the World Games legacy and now puts the time back coaching in schools and at Moss Lane. “It’s been very rewarding “he said. “ There is an ever growing demand in schools and at the club and we are looking to increase the numbers of coaches and mentors involved. It helps me stay fit too!”
Gemma Harkness, Sports Development Officer in St Helens, has supported the initiative throughout as part of the “Active St Helens” strategy and is particularly pleased at the sustained participation. “It’s great to see the numbers increasing.” she said. “LSH now provides quality coaching and sport for girls from age 12 to 18”.
John Williams