Matt Peet details huge off-field aims after Wigan heroes won the lot
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MATT Peet put smiles on faces in Wigan as he masterminded their way to an awesome foursome of trophies – but knew they would not stay long. He knew for many it would be soon back to ‘constant battle’ of helping those with challenges of making ends meet, of paying the bills, of not letting the cost of living crisis prove too much.
![[Matt Peet has put making Wigan an even bigger part of the community at the top of his list after winning all four trophies]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AW9_5584.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Which is why top of his to do list was to make the Warriors an even bigger part of the community they serve. Official figures show suicide rates in the Greater Manchester town rose by more than 50 per cent from 2020 to 2022 and almost a quarter of children are living in poverty.
![[Wigan lifted all four trophies, including the World Club Challenge, this year]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/AM11270.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
So while on field success – winning the Super League, World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield - has shown what Wigan can do competitively, the work to tackle societal issues is just as important to the coach. Peet, mentioned as a contender for the Coach of the Year award at tonight’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards while his side can add another Team of the Year gong, knows all too well about the bigger picture.
![[Wigan's trophy haul gave joy to the town]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/liam-farrell-wigan-warriors-teammates-940342805.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He said: “Those issues will absolutely still be there. I know and know of people who have them. “Anyone in the town, any of the players, would probably know someone who’s going through hard times. “The statistics about rates of a few issues in Wigan as a town – suicide and child poverty are higher than they should be, unemployment’s higher too.
