Apprentices help transform sports ground

Zebras have installed 400 new seats at the stadium and the club, with help from volunteers, put about 200 in themselves last year.

The 15 apprentices, sponsored by Sellafield and from Gen2's Salterbeck Skills Centre, have helped install the remaining 189 seats.

The club managed to get the seats last year from Twickenham, the England rugby team's stadium, who were upgrading in time for the Rugby World Cup.

Seats that were taken out of Twickenham were offered to clubs across the country and Zebras were allocated 400.

The apprentices spent a day a week over two months fitting the remaining seats and took on tasks including welding and riveting.

More than 30 seats were vandalised at the ground last year and although they were fixed, the club didn't have the funds to put the remaining seats.

Officials then approached Gen2 in order to complete the stand and to give apprentices some hands-on experience.

John Dryden, chairman, said: "The stand looks fantastic.

"It's good to work with local organisations and give them some experience. There's a financial saving for ourselves and a benefit."

West Cumberland Engineering made special plates so the seats could be fitted into the stand.

Tony Messenger, of Gen2, led the team on the project.

Stephen Hamer, training manager at Gen2, said: "It's exceptional and it shows that they can get on and complete a task.

"It's important as it gives them something to add to their skills and portfolio when they apply for jobs.

"We try to pick projects that are relevant to the skills they have."

The 15 apprentices have also made new school gates for Ashfield Infant & Nursery School in Workington.

Meanwhile Workington Zebras have also submitted plans to Allerdale council for two new changing rooms with ramp access.

Should the application be granted, the club will have two changing rooms which would be compliant with Rugby Football Union and Sport England standards and two which would be partially compliant.