Fresh from another successful week for the club, Wallsend RFC continued its commitment to the local community by helping deliver the two-day WASP Festival at Wallsend Boys Club. The event welcomed over 230 children from seven local schools, giving them the opportunity to experience a wide range of sports in a fun, inclusive and supportive environment.

Throughout the festival, youngsters enjoyed taking part in rugby, football, hockey, cricket, dodgeball, dance, weightlifting and a variety of other sporting activities, all designed to encourage lifelong participation in physical activity.

Leading the rugby sessions was a fantastic team of Wallsend RFC Junior Colts, working alongside Davy Davison, whose tireless commitment to delivering rugby in local schools has inspired countless young people to pick up a rugby ball for the very first time.

Together, they created an energetic and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring every child had the opportunity to enjoy the game, regardless of previous experience.

Club Chairman Steve Fear, who also serves as Chair of WASP, was delighted to see another outstanding festival and the positive impact the partnership continues to have across Wallsend.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Steve explained that WASP's mission is simple:

"To improve lives through sport."

He added:

"This festival is a celebration of everything we've delivered through WASP during the 2025/26 academic year. It's fantastic to welcome so many local schools together and see hundreds of children enjoying sport, building confidence and discovering activities they may never have tried before."

"The festival also welcomed RFU North East & Cumbria Rugby Club Developer Liam Nicholls, who visited to see first-hand how local organisations are working together to create opportunities for young people."

Liam was full of praise following his visit.

"It was a pleasure to attend the Wallsend Active Sports Partnership event and see all of the partners working together. It was a very hot day, but certainly better than the rain! I met some cracking people, all with the shared goal of bringing sport and physical activity to young people in the Wallsend area."

"It was fantastic to see Wallsend RFC playing such a key role in driving the partnership forward, with some outstanding delivery by their coaches and Junior Colts. This is a fantastic model that could easily be replicated elsewhere. A growing player base and thriving community activities are just some of the positive outcomes this creative approach can achieve."

Steve was equally pleased to welcome Liam and showcase the wider work the club is doing throughout the community.

"I'd like to thank Liam for taking the time to visit and see how we're creating positive sporting experiences for schools across Wallsend.

It was brilliant to watch our Junior Colts, Ben, Nial, Aaron, Jordan, Chris and Harry, delivering excellent coaching sessions and bringing rugby to life for both pupils and teachers alike. They even found time to help with the walking football sessions earlier in the day.

They represented Wallsend RFC superbly, and I couldn't be prouder of every one of them."

Two videos accompanying this story feature first-hand accounts from two of the Junior Colts, giving an insight into what it meant to be part of such a successful community event.

While festivals like WASP introduce children to a variety of sports, their impact reaches far beyond the activities themselves. They help young people build confidence, develop friendships, improve their wellbeing and most importantly, create clear pathways into local community clubs where they can continue participating for years to come.

For Wallsend RFC, being involved in initiatives like WASP reflects the club's commitment to supporting the wider community, not just by developing rugby players, but by helping young people discover the enjoyment, confidence and lifelong benefits that sport can bring.

The club would like to thank everyone who made the festival another tremendous success, particularly Davy Davison, Ray Beck, our outstanding Junior Colts volunteers, Wallsend Boys Club, all of the partner organisations, the WASP team and its sponsors.

Together, they aren't just delivering sport, they're helping to build healthier, happier and more connected communities across Wallsend.