Higginshaw set for a golden era

JOHN Mellor has played a pivotal role in the success of Higginshaw ARLFC.

We look at Oldham’s sports clubs and volunteers, who dedicate significant chunks of  their time to the sporting cause.

HIGGINSHAW ARLFC are a true community club.

They have made fantastic progress over the last couple of years, expanding the youth section from one team to three, and adding an extra open age team.

Officials are proud of their Clubmark status, and are on the verge of RFL Clubmark Gold recognition.

Higgy’s John Mellor has won Volunteer in Sport in Oldham and was runner-up in the Greater Manchester Awards. He was also a finalist in Pride in Oldham’s Administrator of the Year category.

John said: “We are on the brink of being awarded the RFL Clubmark Gold status, which is a big step forward for the club.

“In order to gain it we were told to create a third youth team, which we did. So I expect the status to be confirmed at a meeting this week.

“There is a big operation in place at Higginshaw in terms of coaching, because each team requires the attention of at least two trainers.

“The aim is to constantly strive to achieve. That applies to the players, coaches, everyone at Higginshaw.”

In another boost, the former St Stephens School building which the club bought three years ago has been transformed, thanks to a community project.

Property services specialist Styles & Wood (S&W) chose the project as part of the annual Big Challenge, which encourages a community-based programme breathing fresh life into a worthy cause.

S&W donated £100,000 in labour and material costs to renovate the old school hall.

On Friday it will be unveilled as a multi-use centre, called the Higginshaw Community Project, of which John is secretary.

He said: “So many people have played a huge part in making the project possible.

“As well as S&W working wonders, our fans dedicated 400 hours of voluntary work, Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale helped out, and so did local school pupils.”

Higgy boasts 15 qualified RFL coaches. Call John on 07970 100606 for more details.




Anyone interested in getting involved in voluntary sport in Oldham can call Simon Tait, of Oldham Council’s youth sports development team, on (0161) 770 3050 or email simon.tait@oldham.



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