Edge Hall Road to become new base for Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors women

Orrell Rugby Union's old home ground has been dormant since Warriors' first-team operations moved to the Robin Park Arena five years ago.

The site, however, has remained in good condition, and provides the perfect base to achieve the club’s aspirations for the development of the women and girls pathway.

Latics recently committed to developing a new Women’s team directly under the club's leadership - holding their first open trials this week - and will play home games at Orrell from next term.

It will also be groundbreaking for Warriors, with no other rugby league club having bespoke facilities.

“On the back of the club’s historic announcement in March, this once again emphasises the importance we have put on both women’s football and sport in general here at Wigan Athletic and across the wider borough," said Latics sporting director Gregor Rioch.

“In partnership with Wigan Warriors Women, the intention is to provide the best possible facility for our women’s football team to develop, whilst ensuring the local community also benefits from the facility. We are excited to see the work develop ahead of our women’s team kicking off their season there in September.”

The plans for the site include a wider vision to support the health and well-being of the local community, while also working strategically with community sports clubs to host certain fixtures at the site.

The clubs also plan to use the site for community outreach work via Wigan Athletic Community Trust and Wigan Warriors Community Foundation.

“This marks yet another significant leap forward for women's sports in our town," said Warriors chief executive Kris Radlinski.

"While the football club is just embarking on its journey in women's football, our rugby side has been dedicated to advancing women's rugby for several years now. We've invested extensively in a women's performance programme, including coaching and medical infrastructure, which is led by Denis Betts.

“The establishment of their dedicated facility will propel the program to even greater heights. Additionally, this is another example of us working collaboratively with Wigan Athletic both from a performance programme perspective and with the community initiatives of both clubs."

Work on the site will be underway over the coming months and will include a full refurbishment of the clubhouse and surrounding facilities.