6 June 2012

Promanex, Costain’s support services business, has achieved ‘star status’ in the rough, tough world of rugby league.

At SSE’s power station in Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire, the team not only boasts a former rugby league international but also five semi-professional rugby league players who all run out for clubs in the West Yorkshire area, most notably for Featherstone Rovers.

Featherstone Rovers, or Fev, currently play in the Co-operative Championship League, which it won in 2011, and they harbour big ambitions to play in the top-tier Super League by 2014.

After first beating full-time professionals Castleford 21-16, Featherstone’s run in this year’s Challenge Cup came to an end when they were beaten 32-16 by the current holders, Wigan. However, they showed that semi-professional clubs like Featherstone, whose players all hold down regular full-time jobs, can still mix it with the richer, professional teams in the Super League.

“Rugby league is a well-supported sport in this area and many of the teams and players maintain strong links with the local community,” said Dave Hobbs, a senior supervisor on the SSE team and an ex-England, Featherstone and Great Britain player with 14 international caps.

Elsewhere, site transportation co-ordinator Stuart Dickens skippers Featherstone Rovers alongside team mate and trainee rigger Andy Kain. Fitter Waine Pryce has played for Jamaica at international level and plays for York City Knights, while welder Scott Wilson and fitter Danny Milton play for Nevison Rugby Club and Chequerfield Rangers Rugby Club respectively.

Promanex is a key contractor at Ferrybridge and employ around 25 people in trades such as fitters, welders, platers and riggers. The team provide round-the-clock support to ensure the plant is maintained to a high standard.

Bob Brown, the Site Manager, said: “We try to give employment opportunities to local players, who are all used to working in a team environment, and that really helps us with the work we do.”

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