JOE Bullock has ambitions for Barrow Raiders to be seen as more than just a rugby league club as the plans to expand the work of the community department gather pace.

Bullock, along with Raiders team-mate Josh Ward, spearheaded the development of the club’s community programme during 2016, which saw the pair going into schools and running camps for youngsters in the area during the school holidays.

The prop has also taken on a role coaching Barrow’s recently-formed under-16s squad, but is already thinking about what can be done beyond the confines of Craven Park after being joined in the community team by off-season signings of Brett Carter and Tom Walker.

“Last year was our first step into it and I think we did a job, but there is space for it to improve, and we’re bringing in Brett and Tom, who have both done this at Workington,” said Bullock.

“Brett is really experienced within the community set-up, so it’s just going to take off even more and hopefully we can treble what we’ve done this year, getting into more schools and more places.

“It’s not just rugby, we’re hoping to get out into the community and do other things as well.

“We’ve had a few meetings, got together and everything is really positive and looking good for the future. We’ve got some really good ideas – not just on the rugby.

“The rugby can expand into more areas, but that’s already done. We’ve got other ideas which we can hopefully get on with and build.”

As well as tapping into the knowledge Carter and Walker bring with them from their time with Cumbrian rivals Workington Town, Bullock is looking at what is being done by both Super League teams and football clubs for ideas which could expand their reach beyond rugby.

Widnes Vikings, for example, have recently been nominated for an award for their work done in partnership with a non-profit social care provider. Over in rugby union, the Aviva Premiership’s HITZ programme has also won recognition for breaking down social barriers.

“You want to model yourself on Super League clubs and football clubs who have had successful community projects, and all of those aren’t just based on football or rugby,” said Bullock.

“They’re a general community club and that means doing everything, whether it’s helping out with fundraising or charity.

“As a club, we definitely want to get out into the community and show we’re not just a rugby side, but we want to help build the community in general.

“It’s about helping kids who need a bit more self-confidence and team-work.

“Also, kids who perhaps haven’t got the same opportunities as others, we can get into those areas and do things outside of sport as well.

“There are quite a lot of things we have got planned.”

Bullock is looking forward to getting back on the field as well, with the Raiders having returned to pre-season training last week, and knows he can expect plenty of competition for a place in the side following the signing of fellow front-rower Walker.

And although Liam Harrison has retired, the pack has retained both strength and experience thanks to skipper Oliver Wilkes and Martin Aspinwall both staying on for another year – with Bullock believing both are invaluable to the squad.

“He (Wilkes) is an experienced player and he might not have his youth and endurance he might have had, but he’s got that experienced head and it’s vital for a team like ours,” said Bullock.

“We’ve got a lot of young players who need good guidance and good role models, and he’s obviously a top professional.

“It’s the same with Aspy as well; they’re two players who have been at the very highest level we can all look up to and they set the culture for us, then we set the culture as a club.”