"How Partnering with Football Powerhouses Could Propel Rugby League's Growth in Liverpool"

PAUL Rowley believes working together could be the key to rugby league cracking Liverpool.

Super League’s Magic Weekend heads to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium tomorrow and Sunday.

Paul Rowley believes working with, not against, football giants may be the key to rugby league cracking Liverpool. Credit: SWPIX.COM

But the fact the city is considered virgin territory for the 13-a-side code is arguably even more frustrating.

For the St Helens club Rowley coaches is just under 16 miles away and train journeys take on average 23 minutes.

But this week has seen Everton skipper James Tarkowski put through his paces by Saints’ Jackson Hastings, involving hitting tackle shields and kicking drills, – with the defender giving pointers with a round ball.

And Rowley feels working alongside the football giants could be the way into the city’s sporting landscape.

He said: “We have Liverpool ladies playing at St Helens, so it’s all about collaboration. I don’t think we should try and steal each other’s support.

“Collaboration in sport is a wonderful thing and I know the players enjoy it. We’ve got players who come and watch Everton and Everton players who come and watch us.

“So that’s the best word, isn’t it and it’s fantastic that Premier League players come down and kick a ball about with our boys on our field.

“Whether that be the oval shape or the round shape, I love that lads are collaborating, getting on and working together and enjoying each other’s company.”

St Helens share top billing with Wigan as they bring an end to Magic Weekend on Sunday.

And Rowley hopes seeing the derby up close can get people in Croxteth, West Derby and Aigburth talking about a different sport.

He added: “Magic Weekend is a wonderful event. It’s an opportunity for the game and the sport to showcase itself to a different part of the world.

Everton’s James Tarkowski was put his paces with an oval ball in a session at St Helens. Credit: Getty

“There’s more attention and it’s more evident, it’s more visible, so there’s more interest. That makes you stand up a little bit.

“But this is what the sport needs, isn’t it? More of these big events. We all agree that we’ve got the best sport in the world, so let’s bang the drum.

“And it would be a real success if we could get some local people watching, some Liverpudlians.

“They’ve got two pretty decent football teams, so I just think sometimes it’s a cultural thing. If you’re born in Liverpool, you’re a Liverpool or Everton fan. St Helens is exactly the same.

“I think anybody looking at the UK as a map would never quite understand why such things don’t happen.

“You only need to drive 10 miles up the road and the language almost changes.”