Wigan Warriors and their head coach Matt Peet could be in line to transform the status and prominence of rugby league in the coming weeks.

For everybody inside the rugby league circle, the name Matt Peet is one that carries huge respect, admiration and pride. He is a wonderful advocate for the sport, the town of Wigan and the trait of humility as well.

Outside of rugby league, the name Matt Peet is one that is almost unknown and for Peet, who is not about ego or status whatsoever, that probably suits him down to the ground. However, it’s a damning indictment on the status of rugby league

The sport’s current greatest coach (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) is still relatively unknown outside of rugby league circles, something that highlights where our great sport sits on the pecking order for the general population.

Although that could be about to change as the end-of-year awards season rolls around. Earlier this week, Peet was recognised as the Committee Award winne by the Sports Journalists Association and now all eyes will be on whether he and his side pick up honours at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) Awards.

Could Wigan Warriors and Matt Peet earn SPOTY recognition?

Both Peet and Wigan Warriors will be among the favourites to be awarded the Coach and Team of the Year awards and should they be successful, there could be monumental effects for rugby league.