Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe MP officially launched the Cougar Pride ‘Playing for Success’ classroom at Cougar Park today (Sunday).

The Bradford South MP was the guest of honour for Keighley Cougars’ home Co-operative Championship One fixture against Rochdale Hornets and his main duty was to celebrate the Cougar Pride classroom’s achievements.

Mr Sutcliffe said: “Sports has the power to change lives and it gave me great pleasure to officially launch what has become a centre of excellence.

“I’d like to pay tribute to all the partnerships that have enabled the classroom to be placed here at Cougar Park and to all the people who have worked so hard to ensure that as many schoolchildren of possible gain so much from their experience with Cougar Pride”.

The Minister has been in Keighley over the weekend not only to open the Cougar Pride classroom but also to attend the third Sport Keighley dinner at Victoria Hall, Keighley on Saturday evening.

Liz Kidman, the Cougar Pride classroom manager, said: “It has been a great day for the centre and to have the Minister for Sport perform the ceremony was a great honour for us.

“The classroom has proved during the last two years that it can deliver significant programmes that fit within the National Curriculum and expose children to those requirements and Rugby League at the same time”.

Mr Sutcliffe was accompanied at the Cougar Pride classroom opening by Keighley’s MP Ann Cryer, who is also a trustee of the Cougar Community Foundation, and Mr Neil Spencer, the chairman of Keighley Cougars.