From Russia with love – of rugby!

A junior Russian rugby team visited Wigan yesterday – and found themselves playing mayor!

The Kazan Energy Under 14s were in town for last night’s match against local side New Springs Lions, who visited Russia earlier this year for a tournament in the city.

Ahead of the game, the youngsters took the chance to tour Wigan Town Hall, including the council chambers and the mayor’s parlour, and even got to play their part by trying on the mayoral robes.

The Kazan squad is in town for just over a week and Lions’ chairman, Eric Fanning, has been showing the kids around. He said:

“When we were over there we were shown all the sights and now it’s our turn to repay the favour. We’ve been running about all over the place – around Wigan, to both of the Challenge Cup semi-finals and even to Blackpool. They even went in the sea!

“The players are rugby mad. They were so passionate about the trip, the Kazan coach even sold his car to make it possible!”

The players were given a rugby shirt each from St Helens, and Optimum Sports Design of Wigan donated caps and shoulder pads to the players, and are also planning to provide them with tracksuits.

Mayor of Wigan, Cllr John O’ Brien adds:

“We hear a lot of people complaining about children, but events like these show how they can develop with support and encouragement. Trips like this build relationships with other towns and forge links between communities who can learn from each other. And what better place for the rugby mad Russians to start than a town with rugby at it’s heart?”

The trip was arranged by local councillors Chris Ready and John Hilton. Kazan team manager Kalashkin Pavel thanked the mayor and the New Springs Lions for welcoming them, and presented the mayor with gifts including traditional hats, scarves of the team, town medals and a town DVD.

Before returning home on Thursday the team will also be treated to a tour of the JJB stadium and a visit to the old Central Park site.