Leigh Leopards are backing a rival Super League club at the Sports Personality of the Year awards which are set to be held tonight.
The club are also backing local Leigh girl Keely Hodgkinson to scoop the main prize of Sports Personality of the Year. The middle-distance runner won gold at the Olympics in the 800 metres and is among the favourites to lift the iconic award.
She heads the betting in a six-person shortlist that also features darts star Luke Littler, who himself has rugby league connections as a Warrington Wolves fan, cricketer Joe Root, footballer Jude Bellingham, triathlete Alex Yee and Para-cyclist Dame Sarah Storey.
To the shock of many, there was no rugby league representation on the shortlist with some expecting one of Wigan Warriors’ all-conquering team to be nominated.
That said, the team and their coach Matt Peet could, and certainly should, still be recognised with the shortlists for both Team and Coach of the Year unconfirmed.
Leigh Leopards were nominated in 2023 after their incredible season that saw them lift the Challenge Cup, and they’ve now passed on their best wishes to local rivals Wigan ahead of tonight’s award ceremony.
Leigh Leopards backing rivals and local star at SPOTY
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
The ceremony will be televised on BBC One from 7 pm onwards and Leigh Leopards have got behind their local star Hodgkinson, but also gave a nod to Wigan Warriors.
In the club’s statement confirming theirs and encouraging others to support Hodgkinson, club owner Derek Beaumont references the Super League champions Wigan.
Beaumont said: “I’d also really like to wish our neighbours and rivals Wigan Warriors the best of luck in the Team of the Year category.
“We had a great time at last year’s awards, after being nominated ourselves and hope Wigan enjoy it as much as we did and can bring another honour back to our borough.”
A game between Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards will kick the Super League season off in just under two months time but for now, Beaumont is backing his local foes.
He’s also fully supporting Hodgkinson, as he did in Paris when he watched her win gold, something he noted as he encouraged Leigh fans to vote for her.
Beaumont said: “It’s fantastic that Keely has been nominated for Sports Personality of the Year, something I would be delighted to see her achieve.
“She is such a great ambassador for young people, has a great image and a vibrant and fun personality.
“What she has achieved at such a young age is incredible and I was privileged to be able to watch her live in Paris.
“I will be voting for her and hope all our townsfolk do as well.”
