RL youngsters embraced the way of the Warriors as Super League Wigan delivered two days of coaching at Hindpool Tigers.

Members of Wigan’s community foundation took over Brisbane Park as players from Hindpool – as well as other local clubs, including Marsh Hornets, Dalton and Roose Pioneers – enjoyed learning from one of the game’s biggest clubs.

Around 25 six to 12-year-olds each day worked with the coaches on the basics of the game and in games and drills, and Hindpool’s Graham Shaw – who coaches many of the youngest children – was pleased to see them inspired by the Warriors.

He said: “It was great. They did the basic skills with them; day one is quite a lot of ball-handling and tackling, and then more on the second day.

“It all went down great. It’s the third year they have come to Hindpool and the kids love it.

“It’s everyone’s dream to play Super League. They see the guys with the Wigan tracksuits on and they pick it up a bit. They listen to them more than they listen to me! They do some of the same drills I do with them on the Wednesday night, but they seem to listen to them better!”

Shaw is hopeful some of those who took part in the camp with Wigan will be inspired to push on in the game, aiming perhaps as high or Super League or just deciding to keep going in the junior ranks for longer than they might have done otherwise.

The under-sixes, under-sevens and under-eights coach at the Tigers said: “The ones who came to my training were buzzing.

“They all want to play for Wigan, St Helens, Barrow, so it’s great when you have this to inspire them.

“Every team has good players and good numbers up to under-11s, then it starts to drop off. There has to be something out there to keep them playing, and hopefully things like this can help.

“Barrow’s junior programme is picking up pace as well, so there is the clear pathway to get to the top if they are good enough.”