sportskeeda
MATT Peet infused joy into Wigan as he led them to an extraordinary feat of securing four trophies, yet he understood that this happiness would be temporary.
He acknowledged that for many, it would soon return to the ‘constant struggle’ of supporting those who are grappling with making ends meet, settling bills, and dealing with the pressures imposed by the cost of living crisis.
3
This is why his primary aim is to strengthen the Warriors’ presence in the community they represent.
Recent statistics indicate that suicide rates in Greater Manchester skyrocketed by over 50% from 2020 to 2022, with nearly one in four children living in poverty.
Therefore, while their on-field successes—winning the Super League, World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, and League Leaders’ Shield—highlight Wigan’s competitive prowess, addressing societal challenges remains equally crucial for the coach.
Peet, who is nominated for the Coach of the Year award at tonight’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards, while his team competes for another Team of the Year honor, is highly conscious of the broader repercussions.
He remarked: “Those challenges will undoubtedly continue. I know and have met individuals facing them.
“Everyone in the community, including the players, likely knows someone who is struggling during these hard times.
“The data regarding certain issues in Wigan—such as suicide and child poverty rates—is concerningly high, as is unemployment.
“I’ve heard countless stories, and these situations are becoming increasingly prevalent. In the past, financial or housing troubles were generally associated with the unemployed.
“Now, amid the cost of living crisis, even those in full-time positions are struggling to get by—this gives rise to various other challenges, including childcare issues, mental health struggles, and substance abuse.
“It’s an ongoing battle. We must stay grounded and recognize that there are members of our community facing significant hardships.
“We have an opportunity to leverage our influence to improve the quality of life for others.
3
“The most significant benefit of achieving success on the field is its ability to inspire others—seeing the team’s triumph allows them to partake in the excitement and connect with important events, whether attending in person or viewing on television.
“This promotes greater involvement and visibility. The players gain recognition, empowering them to motivate a larger audience.
“It also instills a sense of purpose within the club. We can represent something substantial and drive change. Winning matches is thrilling, and we all enjoy it, but if we can intertwine that with creating a positive impact on the town and its residents, we nurture goodwill and encourage our players to engage in these initiatives—they derive satisfaction from it.”
Wigan’s latest endeavor to support its community was the Night Under The Lights event last Tuesday, where over 900 individuals collaborated with players to assist local anti-poverty organization The Brick and The Multibank, which aims to eradicate hygiene poverty.
Peet emphasized that additional initiatives are in the pipeline, although the work will be continuous.
3
He added: “The club is engaging with the community on multiple levels. I am aware that discussions with the council and our board are ongoing.
“The players are actively participating in various initiatives with The Brick, local homeless charities, Wigan and Leigh Hospice, schools, and community clubs.
“Our community foundation team is becoming more robust, and we intend to further develop that.
“This endeavor will be ongoing, but it is of utmost importance for the club to connect and engage not just with our supporters but with every resident of the town.”
