Thanks to a grant in 2007 from the Local Network Fund for Children and Young People, the Community Foundation for Merseyside has helped establish the Saints Smart School to inspire local young people.

The programme consists of a morning visit to the home of the Saints where the kids are welcomed off the bus by St Bernard and shown to their classroom for the day.

Former Saints legend, Geoff Pimblett, then leads the programme and delivers a brief lesson on the history of the town, history and geography of the sport. The children also wear clothing from 1895 to learn how Rugby League began.

Later, they are taken on a tour of the stadium with stops in the Saints ‘boot room' and changing rooms, where they take a look at the behind the scenes preparations for a Super League fixture. The Saints gymnasium is the next port of call for an insight into what it takes to be a professional Rugby League player.

The day is rounded off with a coaching session from the club's development coaches, whereby the children are introduced to the basics of the game and preparation can start for their schools entry into the annual Whittle Cup TAG Festival.

The programme is a fantastic experience for all concerned and gives the children a wonderful introduction to the sport of Rugby League and the Saints. In 2008, the programme will be rolled out to more primary schools with the help of Helena Housing and their SHAPE project.