Junior Wolfpack
Warrington Wolves launched their new "Junior Wolfpack" initiative for the very best players from the U16 Academy. The announcement has come following the success of the Senior Wolfpack - 1st grade preparation squad, from which 15 of the current first grade squad players have progressed over the past 4 years. Warrington Wolves Youth Development have rolled the initiative down to the U16 Academy to enhance the development of the very best junior players as well as prepare those players for the intensity of the newly devised U19 Academy competition.
The elite junior players will benefit from additional training with experts in their field. The skills will be led by U19 High Performance (and community) Coach Danny Fullerton, the athletic development session will be led by Jake Batsford, U16 Academy and Swinton Lions Head Strength and Conditioner and in addition to the physical training Danny Fullerton and Lee Westwood will also work closely with the players on their position specific needs that will include video analysis of the players as well as input and video of the Warrington Wolves first team players.
WolfPack
For these elite young players this is an opportunity to work with the First Grade coaches and players. There is a high emphasis on the player to balance their continued education at high school/college/university or vocation, with their extra training responsibilities. At this stage the players have to work harder than ever to gain the recognition from the First Grade coaches and the respect from the First Grade players.
The objectives of the Wolfpack programme are to provide enhanced support not only with their athletic development and footballing skills, covered by the First Grade Staff as above, but also support the players education, personal management, lifestyle, diet and nutrition and their professionalism.
The extended timetable of the Wolfpack players is dovetailed in with their ongoing formal education at higher and further education institutes. It is key that Warrington Wolves Youth Development Department create strong and understanding relationships with each of these institutes to ensure the best academic and sporting development through this important time.
