Rugby league legend hails Wigan Warriors contribution - '...probably lead the way...'

And he says a government investment of more than £330,000 for projects in Wigan and Wakefield - which was announced last week at Wigan Youth Zone by Lisa Nandy MP - will lead to even greater steps forward in ensuring fewer boys and young men are left vulnerable to isolation.

"There's already a lot of fantastic work going on in the rugby league community anyway," said Morley, who now works for the 'Rugby League Cares' charity.

"With Rugby League Cares, we do an offload programme that focuses on mental health and mental fitness.

"We started initially rolling it out to rugby league clubs, and then on to other sports and organisations. It's been so powerful that we're now taking it out to the masses to more communities in rugby league areas.

"With the backing of Lisa, we're hoping to get a bit of momentum and support, because everyone needs help along the way. And Wigan seems to have been particularly affected by mental health and that kind of thing.

"Hopefully it can be a great partnership, and personally I'm delighted to be involved. From my rugby league background, it's going to be fantastic."

Morley believes having such a prominent MP representing Wigan has proved to be invaluable.

"It certainly is!" he recognised. "There's not many bigger MPs in that particular field, and we're lucky to have one on our doorstep in Lisa.

"It's great for Wigan, and I have to say Wigan already do some fantastic work in the community.

"Out of all the rugby league clubs, they probably lead the way in terms of how they engage with the public.

"We just want to enhance that, add more awareness, and in turn hopefully more funding, to reach as many people as we possibly can."

Salfordian Morley is also pleased to see the north benefiting from such a huge award.

"It’s a boost and, when you look at the power rugby league has in the strongholds, these clubs and players can be real models for so many people," he said.

"If the clubs and players can get behind this programme, hopefully we can get out there and reach even more people who need the support.

"Now more than ever, clubs have community responsibilities and duties - and quite rightly so.

"Every club is trying to do its bit...obviously it could always be even better and even more, but Wigan do this kind of thing particularly well.

"We all need to do as much as we can, but the drive and willingness is hopefully there now, and hopefully it can be a huge success."

The two Rugby League Cares pilot programmes will reach 1,300 boys and young men by March 2026.

The first programme, Offload, is designed to give men aged 16-24 who are at risk of isolation a safe environment to open up without pressure or judgement, while developing the tools they need to look after themselves and contribute positively to their communities.

The second, the Movember Ahead of the Game programme, will use rugby to deliver sport-focused mental health training to younger boys aged 11-18, along with parents, carers and youth workers.