Projects

Portico Vine Rugby League Club

Completed: 2015
Location: St Helens, Merseyside
Region: North West
Other local partners: talkSPORT, Wickes Aintree & Warrington

About the project

Portico Vine Rugby League Club was a winner of a national promotion held by radio station talkSPORT in partnership with Wickes that offered support to grassroots sports clubs struggling with poor facilities.

More than 20 young club members, supported by a team of local VIY trade skills mentors, volunteered on the project, with work including the renovation of the changing rooms, toilets and showers, as well as the creation of a new disabled toilet, disabled access ramps, first aid and phsyio area, dedicated changing space for referees and coaches, and a storage room.

The project ran over four weeks and once completed, enabled Portico Vine to start a disabled fitness club as well as wheelchair rugby sessions.

“The project really opened doors for us with the local community, all thanks to Wickes, talkSPORT and VIY, and the support we received from everyone, especially the VIY mentors who gave their time to work alongside the young people, was tremendous,” said club chairman Andy Conor.

“We’re now able to welcome a wider, more diverse range of people into our club thanks to this renovation work, and the project has also had a really positive and motivating effect on new and existing members.”

We’re now able to welcome a wider, more diverse range of people into our club thanks to this renovation work. Andy Conor, Club Chairman