Warrington’s young stars learn how to dance with Wolves

Warrington’s young stars learn how to dance with Wolves

Young players at Warrington Wolves have taken to the floor to discover the power of dance as part of an exciting project run in association with the Rugby League Cares Cultural Partnership programme.

All 23 players from the Super League club’s Academy took part in a contemporary dance class led by dance artist Rob Bell from the Lowry’s Centre for Advanced Training.

The teenage Rugby League stars were put through their paces within the dance class which was utilised as an alternative strength and conditioning session, developing their strength, flexibility, mobility, balance and coordination.

Warrington’s player performance manager and Academy head coach Stuart Barrow said: “This was a great opportunity to break up our schedule with some alternative training.

“The lads found it very physically demanding but enjoyed every minute of the session. Rugby relies heavily on balance co-ordination and core strength and all these were tested.

“It was great to observe the players in a different environment and allowed different characters to shine.

“I would like to thank Leah at the foundation and North West dance for putting on a great evening.”

The activity was part of the Warrington Wolves Foundation’s move to enhance their successful community and schools dance programme, which has also involved an event staged as part of Culture Warrington’s Contemporary Arts Festival.

WOW Boys Dance Expo was held at The Pyramid and saw 75 male dancers from throughout the North West join together to participate within energetic dance workshops led by the Lowry and male dance company EdgeFWD from Edge Hill University.

Male dance groups and individuals from Warrington, Cumbria, Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire took to the pyramid stage in a high-quality performance platform celebrating male dance and inspiring others boys to join!

Leah Biddle, Cultural Partnership Manager at the Wolves Foundation, said: “Boys’ dance is widely under represented across the sector so it’s fantastic to see so many young male dancers engage within the WOW Boys dance Expo.

“With the ever-decreasing arts and cultural provision within education currently, events such as these are even more vital in engaging children and young people within high quality arts and culture.”

Working in partnership with Rugby League Cares, the Wolves Foundation plan to create more events such as these to engage young dancers and inspire them on their arts journey.

For more information on the Dances with Wolves programme please contact Leah on 01925 248894 or email leahbiddle@wolvesfoundation.com