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Under 12's New Kit Presentation

Heres a bunch of extremely proud and excited young rugby league fans. Shevington Sharks ARLFCs successful Under 12s team were recently the recipients of a very special guest, when Ian Lenagan, the new owner and chairman of Wigan Warriors, popped in to present them with their new kit. The team are here pictured in their swish new strip, with Mr. Lenagan standing in the centre on the right. To the left of him is Aftab Ali, co-owner of The Blue Elephant restaurant in Chorley, who kindly sponsors the team and paid for the new kit.

Under 14's Reveal New Tracksuit

Sharks on the RFL Website

Shevington Sharks were formed in 1979 by local Rugby League Administrator, Brian Murphy and local teachers Jim Williams, John Jackson and coached by ex Warrington and star, Parry Gordon.

Chairman Wins Award

Chairman Steve Dillon was recently awarded the Wigan/Leigh Service Area Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteers 2007.   Steve commented on the award "I really do think though it was recognition for all the hard work done by everyone within the club, but it is always nice to receive an award as recognition of your work"

Sharks Under 7's Taster Session

Shevington Sharks recently hald a 2 hour taster session in July, children interested in playing rugby league, where invited to come down and try the game, regardless of ability. Twelve players, from a range of local schools had a ball playing games, learning skills & generally having fun in the mud.   Out of the twelve who attended the session, nine players have since registered with the club and now Shevington Sharks is one of only seven teams in the North West Counties League to have an Under 7's for the forthcoming season.

Shevington Sharks Facilities Update

This is a brief update on where we are up to on obtaining facilities for the club.

We are the main partner with Shevington High School in developing the existing facilities that they have at the High School. The school are developing their facilities as part of the Extended Schools Programme, which is basically improving and letting the community use the facilities during and outside of school hours i.e. nights and weekends. Also on the Project Committee are Shevington Parish Council, Shevington Community Action Group, Wigan MBC [Township Forum, Chief Funding Officer, Chief land/fields Officer] and the School Governors.

We are looking at a new Shevington Sport and Community Club to be built on the school, separate from any existing buildings. The club would be licensed and would contain changing, bar, kitchen, community-meeting rooms etc. We have no planning permission at this stage, but the Local Education Authority and Wigan MBC are aware of our plans and they do not have a problem, so long as we meet certain criteria. All the plans ideas we have are very community based, and we see this as the way forward for the project.

As well as the new Sport and Community Club, we would be looking at completely re draining all the pitches and putting in a 3rd generation floodlit All Weather pitch.

You can see this is a massive project, and we are still at the early stages, although I have been attending meetings for over 12 months to reach this point. A lot of work has gone into the project already, but there is, hopefully, a lot of work in front of us.

For such a massive project we will need to get major partners on board, and with this in mind I will shortly be attending a joint meeting with the Football Association and the Rugby Football League. I will be going along with the School and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.

It is vital we can get some major funders involved, and we will also need to put some of our own money towards the project. On the project committee we also have the Chief Funding Officer for Wigan MBC, and she will also be helping with the project.

The project is evolving weekly at the moment, and there is such a lot happening, but I must stress nothing has been agreed at the moment, we are just laying all the foundations, which is necessary work.

I will keep everyone updated on the project.

Thank you,

Steve Dillon

Chairman Shevington Sharks

Shevington Sharks U12 Girls represent the North West

Shevington Sharks 2007 Summer Ball

JJB Stadium

Saturday 16th June 2007

Once again this year we'll be holding the annual summer ball at the JJB. This year we'll also be supporting the Mike Gregory Trust Fund.

MC for the Evening

Joe Lydon

Tickets are priced at £30 per person, including a delicious 3 course meal, a 'goodie' bag and entertainment. Tables can be booked for parties of 10 or more. Dinner jackets are optional, gentlemen are expected to wear a shirt and tie, ladies appropriate evening wear.

Raffle & Auction of Sports Memorabilia

Followed by Entertainment

Please get behind the club and make this a night to remember!

Please contact Vicky Melling for more information:

Tel: 01257 404595

Sharks Under 13's supported by Wigan Warriors Supporters Club

Wigan Warriors supporters club, the Riversiders, have kindly donated £200 from their proceeds to Shevington Sharks under 13's.

The under 13’s were kindly awarded the evenings raffle takings to help them in their fund raising attempts so they can embark on a tour to France next year where players and coaches will be given the opportunity to challenge themselves against the best from 'across the pond'. The money raised will help kit the players out in new tracksuits to wear on the tour.

Shevington Sharks would like to thank all members of the Riversiders club.

Annual Sportsman's Dinner

Once again the Club Sportsman's Dinner was a huge success, and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank each individual person for coming along to the Dinner, supporting the club, but more importantly I hope you had a good evening.

Plans are already in progress for next years Dinner, and due to the demand and some feedback we will be looking for an alternative, but larger venue.

I look forward to seeing everyone next year.

Steve Dillon

Shevington Sharks Angels

Shevington Sharks ARLFC are very excited to announce that they are forming a new Girl's teams within the club.

The aim for the new Shevington Girls team is a Festival in March. " We have our Coaching Coordinator helping, Julie Jones [New Girls Coach] with the Girls, and we are very conscious that we need to give as much help and assistance to Julie and the Girls over the coming months" added Dillon " Julie has put her hand up to become Coach of the Girls, but she also needs to go on her Coaching Courses, so in the short term we are giving her every assistance"

Any girls interested in joining a fantastic new team please contact Julie Jones or Steve Dillon on 07718 228422

Girls Rugby Camp Success

The inaugural Warriors girl’s only coaching camp proved to be an outstanding success with over 20 children attending the two day Rugby League extravaganza last week.

The camp was delivered by the Wigan Warriors Primary Link Co-ordinator, Amanda Wilkinson and local volunteers Mick Taylor (Shevington Sharks - Community Development Officer) and Alison McNulty.

The camp was designed to allow the girls to experience the benefits of physical activity and learn the basic skills of Rugby League. It was visited by Ben Kavanagh and Michael McIlorum who were on hand to offer encouragement to the youngsters that attended.

The girls session was held at the end of a six week coaching program, where young people from Shevington, Standish and St John Fisher high schools were part of a series of activities which introduced them to the sport of Rugby League.

Primary Link Co-ordinator, Amanda Wilkinson said:

"The camp proved to be a tremendous success with all girls taking part showing a fantastic level of enthusiasm and desire for the game. The camp just showed that the sport is equally attractive to women as it is to men and that the hard work that has been put into the schools program is finally paying off".

As a result of the camp it is envisaged that through Shevington Sharks development officer Mick Taylor the girls will be given the opportunity to join their local club and take part in the sport on a regular basis. This will be done in conjunction with the club and will be delivered via the newly developed Girls Coaching Centre which will be hosted at Robin Park Sports arena.   The centre will be designed as an outlet for girls to learn the fundamentals of the sport and introduce them to the concept of competitive rugby. The centre will run on a Tuesday evening between 5.00pm and 6.00pm and starts on Tuesday 20th February costing just £1 per child per session.

Shevington Sharks Join White Ribbon Campaign

Shevington Sharks ARLFC join an International 10-day campaign starting on the 25 th November to spread the message that violence against women should not be tolerated.

The Sharks are participating in The White Ribbon Campaign, which commences on “International Elimination of Violence Against Women Day” and is about men challenging the acceptability of violence against women.

Men and boys who wear ribbons make a pledge that they will never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

The Sharks join forces with Wigan’s MP’s, 300 Wigan Athletic staff, 150 Police Officers, 230 Fire Service Officers, local Councilors and council staff, Probation and Victim Support to help spread a vital message – that domestic abuse and all forms of violence against women should not be tolerated.

Some facts:

One in four women will be victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives; and on average Wigan Police Force receive a call every hour from someone reporting domestic violence. 150 people are killed each year by their current or ex-partner; 80% of these are women.

Wigan Club Sports Fayre

At the Wigan Sports Club Fayre on Saturday November 18 th, the Shevington Sharks stall created a great deal of interest from visitors and stall holders alike. The bright and colourful display illustrated the busy and successful life of the Sharks from Under 8’s to Open Age. Many useful contacts were made and the event has certainly raised the Shark’s profile in the Wigan area.