St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf praised Rydal Penrhos’ exceptional sporting facilities following the team’s three-day preseason camp at the school.
Rydal Penrhos received a significant honour when rugby league giants St Helens chose the school as their base for a pre-season training camp in December. The three-time defending Super League champions ramped up preparations for the upcoming campaign by using the exceptional facilities our pupils benefit from on a daily basis just before the festive period.
This included using the newly refurbished fitness suite, the 25-metre swimming pool and participating in a training session on Rydal Penrhos’ picturesque New Field surface, which parents, pupils and staff members were able to attend under strict COVID-19 guidelines.
The Saints squad stayed on campus and were treated to a lavish Christmas dinner at the Sixth Form Ferguson Centre courtesy of the school’s catering team, before using their final day to take part in a special conditioning session along the Colwyn Bay coastline situated just a stone’s throw from Rydal Penrhos.
This should serve the first-team squad well as they look to continue their phenomenal recent success when the new season begins later this year. Executive Principal John Waszek received a signed shirt from the team as a thank you for the school’s hospitality and members of Rydal Penrhos’ first XV received their new kit from established figures and international-calibre players within the Saints’ set-up.
GALLERY: St Helens training camp at Rydal Penrhos
Kristian Woolf, who is Saints’ head coach, had nothing but praise for the welcome they received at Rydal Penrhos when speaking to the St Helens Star and was also highly complimentary of the facilities used by his players throughout their stay.
“Rydal Penrhos did a really good job for us. They went above and beyond in making sure we felt looked after and welcome. The facilities we got to use, in particular, the indoor sporting halls and the gym were exceptional, and that really helped us have a successful camp.”
Rydal Penrhos has a vast array of facilities, including a Sports Hall and Fitness Suite that can be used for netball, basketball and indoor cricket nets, with the astroturf surface providing a floodlit training area for pupils and clubs across the region to utilise.
The school also has its own outdoor cricket nets area, no fewer than five immaculate rugby pitches, seven outdoor tennis courts, two squash courts, four Eton Fives courts and a dedicated short game golf area for anyone wishing to hone their bunker, chipping or putting skills.
If that wasn’t enough, Rydal Penrhos has an RYA accredited Sailing and Water-Sports Centre as part of our campus and this is also available to visiting groups.
Anyone wishing to enquire about the facilities hire should contact events@rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155.
