[Posted courtesy of Lytham St Annes High School]
23rd March 2026.
Today, we were proud to welcome two hugely influential figures in the world of rugby. Bill Sweeney and Sir Bill Beaumont visited the school to see first-hand the strength of our sporting partnerships.
As CEO of England Rugby, Bill Sweeney leads the national governing body for rugby union in England, while Sir Bill is the former Head of World Rugby, the global organisation for the sport.
The morning began with a meet and greet in the ACC, where discussions focused on the successful and growing partnership between LSA and the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation. This collaboration has played a key role in expanding rugby opportunities for our students, providing pathways, coaching, and experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.
The visit then moved onto the school field, where the Fylde Foundation delivered a live rugby session with a Year 9 class. This gave both guests the opportunity to see the impact of the programme in action, with students demonstrating excellent skill, enthusiasm, and engagement throughout.
It was incredibly important for LSA to host a visit of this calibre. Having leaders from both the national and international game visit our school highlights the recognition of the work being done and reinforces the value of our partnerships.
A huge thank you must go to our PE department for their continued commitment to building and maintaining such a strong relationship with Fylde Rugby Club. Their work has been instrumental in making opportunities like this possible. [We are fortunate to have two current members of Fylde RFC’s 1st XV in the PE Department, Adam Lanigan & Michael Walton.]
We would also like to extend a big thank you to the Fylde Foundation for their ongoing support, dedication, and investment in developing rugby within our school.
This was a fantastic day for LSA and a brilliant example of how strong partnerships can create meaningful opportunities for young people.