Council commits to investing and developing in the town’s sporting and cultural future

AFTER welcoming world-class sporting events in recent months Warrington Borough Council has committed to investing and developing in the town’s sporting and cultural future.

The Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) was the latest sporting success to be held in Warrington with some of Rugby League’s biggest teams playing in the town including: New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.

However, it’s not just the men’s international game that has graced the town’s Halliwell Jones Stadium. As a national leader in physical disability rugby league (PDRL) Warrington hosted a parallel international World Cup competition for the sport, with the finale being held at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. In the run-up to the final, Australia joined England, New Zealand and Wales in a series of thrilling matches held at Victoria Park Stadium.

The RLWC has built on other sporting triumphs coming to the town in recent years including the Tour of Britain cycle race coming to Warrington in September 2021. The stage five finish concluded outside Warrington’s famous golden gates after a fast-paced race around the town with thousands lining the route.
Warrington Borough Council’s involvement was pivotal in securing each of these sporting events coming to town. Local Labour councillors have said they are “committed to investing and developing in the town’s sporting and cultural future”.

Victoria Park Stadium is one example of investment, as part of the wider Central 6 Regeneration Masterplan focusing efforts on improving disability and accessible sports facilities catering specifically for rugby league.
Cllr Tony Higgins, cabinet member for leisure and community said: “Welcoming world-class sport to Warrington is something we can all be proud of.
“We saw some absolutely brilliant games in autumn for the Rugby League World Cup and it’s great to see how many people enjoyed attending the matches.
“Warrington Borough Council has been investing in our town’s sporting future, the investments in Victoria Park Stadium are clearly making a difference to our communities.
“Home grown talent such as Warrington’s Jamie Barnett a PDRL England player, show what a difference a Labour-run council can make. Our commitment to promoting disability sports and making them more accessible is something we are all passionate about”

Cllr Paul Warburton, cabinet member for statutory health and adult social care said: “Warrington has firmly placed itself on the international sporting map in the past couple of years by hosting a Tour of Britain stage finish, the Rugby League World Cup and the Physical Disabled Rugby League World Cup.
“Labour is committed to continuing their support of sport in Warrington, we want to see more events coming to our town and will continue to look for opportunities to host other exciting sporting events in future.
“Sport and activity are key to improving our health and wellbeing. Active communities are healthier and happier communities and events such as the Tour of Britain and the Rugby World Cup will help to inspire a generation of young people across Warrington to become more active and involved in sport.”