Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Sporting Life - Former Wigan and Great Britain full-back Kris Radlinski has taken his first step on the coaching ladder after being placed in charge of the scholarship scheme at his old club.

Radlinski, 32, who has been out of the game since retiring with a knee injury three years ago, recently gained his coaching qualifications and has now been given an off-field role as part of a backroom re-organisation at the Warriors.

Former Halifax head coach John Pendlebury, one of Brian Noble's assistants, has been promoted to the newly-created position of head of youth development while Ray Unsworth, who was the RFL's director of coach education for 10 years, has been made head of programme development.

Another former player, Dave Lyon, is the club's new part-time specialist skills coach and Keith Schmechel will also work part-time as performance analyst.

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan said: "These exciting appointments show the heavy and increasing investment by Wigan in the full development of our scholarship and academy players."