OVER the past year the community department at Leigh Centurions has made some big strides within the community.

Added to the successful Curriculum Center is now a four-week primary Schools Touch Rugby programme, a six-week Secondary Schools programme, after schools clubs and a Social Inclusion Programme - Tackle Sport and Summer Schools.

Curriculum Centre

Since 1994, Leigh Centurions in partnership with WEBP (Wigan Education and Business Partnership), have ran a highly successful Curriculum Centre. The Centre is one of 10 within the Wigan LEA and targets schools within the EAZ areas around Leigh town centre.

The Centre is based at Hilton Park and aims to bring together the work of rugby, education and the local community while delivering many aspects of the National Curriculum. The main emphasis is on numeracy. Pupils enjoy a range of learning experiences provided by the players and staff of Leigh Centurions and a seconded teacher.

Children take part in a tour of the club during which pupils complete a mathematical challenge appropriate to the key stage as well as having an opportunity to work with the coach and players to gain basic skills associated with the sport. Pupils also interact with a virtual reality walk through of the stadium incorporating math's work.

The Centre's programme reflects how rugby related activities not only benefit the teaching of numeracy but also overlaps into many other curricular areas of the primary curriculum such as PE and games, health and safety, healthy living and ICT skills.

Primary Schools Programme

In April 2003 the Community department secured funding through local sponsors Catalyst Conservatory Roofs and Sportsmatch to run a Primary Schools Touch Rugby Programme.

The programme will visit all Primary schools within Leigh and the surrounding areas teaching key stage 1 and 2 children (4-11 year olds) touch rugby over a four-week period. This culminates in participants showcasing the skills they have learnt at a Leigh Centurions home game after the programme has finished in their school. The programme also aims to reinforce key social skills such as listening, teamwork and citizenship through the medium of rugby.

Secondary Schools Programme

The Leigh Centurions Secondary Schools Programme is at present in a pilot stage and has so far visited three schools Westleigh High, Hesketh Fletcher and Lowton High to deliver a six-week programme based on the sports skills. The club hopes to access funding to enable the programme to help local schools with the Champions Schools Competition. The programme will be delivered to all Secondary schools in the area.

After Schools Clubs

The Community department also offers an After Schools Programme based at various schools around the area. At the After Schools Clubs participants learn various skills that aren't covered in the four-week programme such as tackling, kicking and various fun rugby games such as Rugby Rounders. The department is at present sourcing funding for the programme so it can be offered to schools and community groups at no cost.

Summer Schools

The department also runs Summer Schools in the summer holidays. Last year we ran the Paul Rowley Summer School for three weeks and it was a huge success with over 200 children taking part. Each child received an exclusive Summer School T-Shirt and certificate and showcased their talents on the pitch at half time at our first grade home matches. This year the club will be offering several different programmes ranging from an all girls Rugby Summer School to Rugby Tournament days.

Tackle Sport Programme

Tackle Sport is a Social inclusion programme funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, that aims to make a difference to young people aged between 11-16 years old across Wigan and Leigh area, using the power of Rugby League as a catalyst to engaging hard to reach young people in basic skills, citizenship, health and drug awareness.

The programme is carried out through already identified local community groups. These groups include Positive Futures, the Park Centre and secondary schools within the area.