2026 LDP Tri-Series takes place

Our local community club Portico Vine hosted the first LDP session of the year on Wednesday 5th August!

The Lions Development Programme is a programme based around the Community Game, giving those an opportunity to represent the Saints and train with some of our pathway coaches.

We would like to thank our local Community Club Portico Vine for hosting us at their venue for the first event of the trilogy of games that took place.

Our Saints sides have been training at Cowley, with those sessions starting on Friday 24th July, running for four weeks, up until Friday 14th August. The games took place at St Helens (4th August at Portico Vine), Wigan (11th August) and Warrington (18th August).

The games saw Saints sides coming up against Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves in a tri-series. The Red V had four sides on offer at the events, with coaches and players from our local community clubs involved in the games.

Training sessions are taken by coaches within our pathways at Saints. Our Under 14’s LDP is also a great way to improve your game and learn new skills to take back into your Community games!

The Under 14’s LDP tri-series is for those who don’t have a Rugby League Scholarship. Not being on a scholarship does not mean a player’s journey ends. The LDP exists to ensure talented, hardworking players still have access to quality coaching and representative opportunities.

Well done to all of the lads who represented the Red V throughout the three sets of nights and best of luck in the future!

Next year we will run the programme again, with players not currently on a Scholarship able to get involved.

Coaching and Talent Lead, Richard Ellis said: “The Tri-Series this year has been a great success, with over 120 players pulling on the Saints shirt and representing the club. There has been so much talent on show throughout the series, and some fantastic rugby at the events.

“It’s always a real highlight of the year for us as coaches, seeing the players come together, compete and enjoy their rugby in a great environment . I’d encourage everyone to get involved whenever they can.”

Community Lions 14+ Coach, Graham Roberts added: “It’s brilliant to hit our tenth year with the Community Lions Development Programme, and this summer has been as rewarding as any of them. Seeing 250 young lads in total across all three clubs out there representing their towns in these modified games is exactly what rugby league is all about.

“We wanted to strip away the intense pressure, get the ball moving fast, and just encourage these 14 and 15-year-olds to express themselves, take risks, and enjoy their rugby. The feedback we’ve had from parents and players about how much they’ve loved this environment is honestly humbling. It’s also been fantastic to see the families on the touchline completely buying into what we are trying to do, keeping the atmosphere positive and supportive.

“A massive thank you has to go to our incredible partner clubs, Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, and of course to our volunteer coaches. They’ve given up so much of their own time over the last month, both at training and on match days. This programme isn’t just about developing the next generation of players, it’s about giving them a reason to stay in the game and keeping community rugby league participation as a massive priority. It’s a vital pathway for these coaches to progress, too. Everyone involved should be incredibly proud.”

Head of Foundation Ben Hardman concluded: “What a fantastic summer for our Lions Development Programme, with over 120 young players representing the Saints and enjoying their rugby.

“The talent on show is a huge credit to the coaches across our pathway and community clubs who work tirelessly to nurture these players.

“The LDP provides a fantastic platform to showcase talent, with Jake Davies a great example — a former LDP player now thriving in the Saints first team.

“As Head of Foundation, I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved and excited for the future of our game.”

Well done to all of the lads who represented the Red V throughout the three sets of nights and best of luck in the future!

Next year we will run the programme again, with players not currently on a Scholarship at that point able to get involved.