The event, part of the #lovesthelenss festival celebrating all the great people and institutions that make up the town, saw the squad hold a public training session under the shadow of St Helens Parish Church.
Shoppers gathered to watch as players went through a variety of ball drills and stamina tests under the direction of James Roby, assistant coaches Lee Briers and Eamon O’Carroll, and head coach Paul Wellens.
(Image: St Helens Star) Kyle Feldt and Konrad Hurrell – who are both working their way back to fitness following long-term injury – were among those taking part.
Feldt’s hand was still understandably strapped, but he is on course for a return following surgery on a ruptured hand ligament.
(Image: Kyle Feldt)
O’Carroll oversaw the group’s handling skills while Briers monitored a drill involving tennis balls, which appeared to be a test of hand and eye coordination and reaction skills.
A third station saw the players on exercise bikes to work on their cardio fitness.
Crowds filmed and took pictures with their smartphones as the training session played out on the square.
(Image: St Helens Star) As reported by the Star, the #lovesthelens festival has been spearheaded by a church leader who is encouraging people to celebrate St Helens. Reverend Rachel Shuttleworth, team vicar at St Helens Parish Church and a columnist for the Star, wants to shine a light on the brilliant people and grassroots organisations in our community.
Reverend Shuttleworth, who watched on as today’s session took place, hopes highlighting more positive aspects of the borough will help to counter some of the negativity the area is sometimes afflicted by, especially on social media.
As part of the campaign, St Helens Parish Church is hosting a six-week festival showcasing local heritage, poetry, art, photography and performances.
It is a springboard for a wider campaign over the next year – supported by St Helens Council and community partners – to encourage people to share what they love about St Helens.
The Star – which regularly features spotlights on various grassroots groups and teams as well as celebrating success stories – has also pledged its support to spreading the good news message.
Launching the campaign last month Reverend Shuttleworth told the Star: There is so much to love about the town.
“You hear a lot of people saying St Helens was great back in the day but there are so many good things going on now – and we want to focus on that and the bright future St Helens has ahead.
“So we came up with the idea of the Love St Helens six week festival – with a host of events at the church.”
“I want to try to bring people together.
“I want them to experience things that they may not have thought go on in St Helens – like coming here and listening to some poetry being read by a local poet.
“I also really, really want the young people of St Helens to take part and show what they love about St Helens and why it’s a great place to live, with lots to do – we really want to encourage that.”