Derek Wroe: Reflecting on rugby, stories and community

With thanks to the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust for this article.

For Derek Wroe, rugby league has never been just about what happens on the pitch. It has always been about people, memories and the shared stories that bind generations together.

A former Fartown player, Derek wore the shirt from 1971 to 1987, making an impressive 226 first-team appearances as a hooker and scoring 23 tries along the way. His career also took him overseas, with time spent in New Zealand between 1978 and 1980. Long after hanging up his boots, Derek continued to serve the game he loved, becoming Chairman of the Huddersfield Giants Ex-Players Association, a role he held for more than three decades.

Today, Derek is one of the familiar faces at the weekly Giants Community Trust Reminiscence Sessions. The informal gatherings take place on Thursday mornings, bringing together former players, supporters and members of the local community to talk about rugby, sport, life, and everything in between.

What Derek enjoys most about the meet ups is the conversation.

“The discussions bring out so many special and forgotten moments. You meet people with so many different experiences. Everyone who attends brings something interesting to the table.”

Each week, the sessions are filled with memorabilia, like programmes from the 1950s, old photographs and stories about famous games and heroes. Funny memories are shared, even tales from dressing rooms resurface, fans recall matches watched decades ago and laughter flows as easily as the tea and biscuits.

For Derek, the real magic lies in storytelling.

“Listening to ex-players and supporters share their memories. From the funny to the emotional. It really brings things back. Everyone shares their own stories and suddenly you’re remembering things you hadn’t thought about in years.”

The sessions are about more than simply remembering sporting history; they also play an important role in supporting wellbeing.

Derek believes conversation is extremely important but talking about rugby offers something unique.

“It links life experiences with memories as a fan. It gives everyone something they’re genuinely passionate about to talk about.”

The meets bring together people from different eras and even different clubs, creating unexpected friendships. Through the sessions, Derek has met new people and formed connections that now continue outside the room.

Most importantly, the sessions play a vital role in keeping minds active.

Derek adds: “They really stimulate my mind. You come in and instantly start talking and remembering things, and before you know it, you’re feeling brighter and energised. I feel mentally active and connected after each week and it gives you something to look forward to which makes a real difference.”

The sessions regularly attract between seven and nine people, but the aim is to increase participation.

“There’s nothing more fulfilling than a room full of like-minded individuals. There’s so much benefit in just chatting, remembering, and laughing together. I really encourage others to come down and get involved.”

Through reminiscence, the sessions help to keep memories alive, strengthen friendships and prove that rugby league is as much about connection as it is about competition.

The weekly sessions are held every Thursday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 at the community hub, The Zone, St Andrews Road, HD1 6PT. They are free to attend and include hot refreshments and biscuits.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via hello@hgct.co.uk.