Rugby stalwart John’s an inspiration for young

John Mellor: “Getting the children involved gives them something to be proud of”

JOHN Mellor is inspiring a new generation of players with his love of rugby league.

The 54-year-old is club secretary, fund-raiser, volunteer and stalwart at Higginshaw Amateur Rugby League FC, one of the oldest in the country.

Now he has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award for his work to get children involved in the sport and put the club at the heart of the community.

The family-friendly side was founded in 1896 and has teams for under-8s through to open age.

It is creating a community hall and sports hub while John has teamed up with Beever Children’s Centre to run coaching sessions to bring children into the sport.

The club also works with local schools and John, of Penwell Fold, near Oldham Edge, said: “Getting the children involved gives them something to be proud of. It also gets the parents involved as well.

“There are three or four parents involved now to the degree that they are coaching the under-8s and under-10s.

“We have got one guy who used to come along and drop his child over the fence.

“The one night the coach did not turn up on time, he came over the fence with his child. He has now taken a coaching course.”

John, who works at BAE Systems, Woodford, and is also a foster parent, got involved with the team 25 years ago.

“I used to go along and watch them. I got interested and played a bit for the reserve team at the time,” he explained “I have been involved as physio and a committee man.

“I am club secretary and company secretary because it is a registered charity.

“I like the camaraderie. We are one big family, everyone pulls together.”

He and his partner, Linda, have four children as well as fostering youngsters.

Under-8s coach Jim Marshall nominated him for a Pride in Oldham Award and said: “John is fully committed to making the difference for children on Higginshaw Estate through the promotion of the community-focused rugby club.”