THE KEIGHLEY Cougars' charity has bought rugby equipment to help train young stars of the future in local schools.

The Cougarmania Foundation received £500 from Bradford Council's Keighley Area Committee to buy the equipment for its planned skills coaching programme.

Gary Murgatroyd, director and trustee of the foundation, said that although sporting activities had stopped during the coronavirus epidemic, the foundation was already planning for life after lockdown.

He said: "We are really grateful to the area committee. Their grant provides provides us with the essential tools to deliver rugby league-based sport and fitness sessions to schools in the Keighley area.”

The Cougarmania Foundation, the charitable arm of Keighley Cougars rugby league club, is named after the period in the 1990s when the Cougars were at the height of their success.

The lockdown disrupted the foundation's work in the district’s schools after a successful start following its launch last February.

Foundation coaching staff, including ‘Captain Cougar’, the club’s former New Zealand international and Super League legend Jake Webster, are anxious to resume activities as soon as they get the green light.

Cllr Russell Brown, chairman of Keighley Area Committee, said: "We are delighted to support the great work that the Cougarmania Foundation are doing, especially with the young people of Keighley to improve their health and fitness and give them an interest in rugby league and other sports.

"We look forward to hearing more about all the beneficial activities that they are undertaking when they can return to working with young people in schools again.”