Wigan Warriors × Royal Ballet
Redefining what boys are allowed to be.
THE STORY
“From rugby boots to ballet shoes”
WHAT HAPPENED
What happens when elite rugby players walk into a ballet studio?
At first — laughter. Then silence. Then respect.
Working with Wigan Warriors, Pianos, Pies and Pirouettes introduced young athletes to ballet training, culminating in a visit to the Royal Ballet School in London.
This wasn't about novelty. It was about permission.
Permission for boys to move differently. To express themselves. To step outside rigid ideas of masculinity.
The results went far beyond expectation: improved strength, balance and injury prevention; increased confidence and body awareness; and a shift in mindset that stayed long after the session ended.
Because when you change what a young person believes they're allowed to do, you change what they believe they can become.
“It wasn't just about dance — it changed how they saw themselves.”
WHY IT MATTERS
This is bigger than a performance.
The project showed PPP operating exactly where funders care — changing attitudes, opening doors, and shifting harmful assumptions about gender, sport and expression.
IMPACT
- Challenging gender stereotypes in sport
- Cross-sector innovation (sport and arts)
- Confidence, physical literacy, injury prevention
IN PICTURES
Moments from the production.
OUR WORK
Seven projects. One connected story.
Swipe or use the arrows to browse — same carousel as the homepage.
Beyond Wigan Pier
When a town stopped being written about and started writing back.
Wigan Warriors × Royal Ballet
Redefining what boys are allowed to be.
HAF Programme
Three sites. Hundreds of children. One purpose.
The Story Behind PPP
From one piano to a whole community.
Pods of Sunshine
Not just telling stories — owning them.
The Brick Song
A town singing about what it usually walks past.
ITV Granada Reports
Regional television documenting community arts, young voices and Wigan’s story.
Want to support work like this?
PPP is actively seeking funding partners who believe in what culture can do for communities. Get in touch.