Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Warrington Wolves are breaking barriers by utilising and developing current first team players through their Youth Development Structure as coaches. Current first team and internationally experienced props Paul Wood and Adrian Morley will be coaching the U16 Scholarship in 2009/2010 along with ex-Warrington player Darren Abram.

The two 1st team players became involved in the 2008/2009 scholarship with the U16 and have strongly influenced the eleven U16 players signed by the club in 2009 including talented prospects Rhys Evans and Ryan Shaw who this week are training with the 1st team.

Rhys and Ryan have taken their opportunities by storm and the junior internationals have impressed in every performance that they have played in for the Warrington U18 Academy so far.

Rhys believes that the information that he received from Paul Wood and Adrian Morley has been invaluable, "To have Adrian and Paul coaching us was fantastic, they are two players that we all look up to and respect, the knowledge they passed on was really good".

Rhys, who has aspirations of playing first team football for Warrington Wolves, believes that both coaches have influenced him both as a player and as a person. Ryan has so far had a great week; "To be training with them this week is a little strange but they have been fantastic and welcomed us into the team, first to be coached by them and now to be training with them is like a dream come true, but I know I have a lot of hard work to do before I become part of the first team squad properly".

In addition, having Jon Clarke as a conditioner has also helped the young players start to reach their potential; Jon Clarke is currently studying for a degree in Sport Science at the University of Chester and is also working with the Wolves Academy as a conditioner.

Quality coaching is vital to the Warrington Wolves Youth Development Programmes and having coaches with international playing experience certainly helps the young players' development.

"We understand that developing coaches as well as players is important" commented Ben Lazenby, Player Performance Manager "having international playing experience is certainly an advantage and a great asset for a coach, not to mention that the young players really look up to these guys. It goes without saying that through coaching, these senior players have a huge influence on the young players' careers."

Paul Wood has been granted a Testimonial for the 2010 season and feels great that he is able to put something back into the club that has been so good to him "I'm pleased to have been granted a testimonial for the 2010 season in recognition of the ten years of professional rugby league I have played at Warrington Wolves.

"The club have put a lot of faith in me through the years and I hope I have repaid the club and fans through my performances on the pitch". Paul has worked tirelessly with every coach at the club and can't single out an individual coach who has influenced him "Every coach I have worked with has had a positive impact on my career and I am still learning things as a player. Working with Tony (Smith) and Jimmy (Lowes) is really exciting at the moment and I am learning a lot."

Paul Wood will be the Head Coach at the U16 age group and will work closely with John Bastian, Director of Youth Performance and Ben Lazenby to refine his coaching skills, Paul sees the coaching as a new challenge and has learnt a lot so far "As a coach I try to relate to the players through my playing experience when developing skills, one area I try and get the young players to buy into is how hard it is to be a professional sportsman in a tough sport and I try to help them develop mental toughness and a good work ethic."

Assisting Paul Wood will be his team-mate and front-row compatriot Adrian Morley, who has a wealth of knowledge of the game to pass on, "I really enjoyed coaching the lads and seeing them develop is brilliant, I have been lucky enough to experience international rugby league and sharing my experience with these talented youngsters will hopefully help them develop and spur them on to one day play international rugby league themselves."

Adrian believes that he has been coached by some of the best coaches in the World and that has certainly influenced him as a player and as a coach "I use a variety of different coaching methods I have picked up from different coaches over the years within my sessions, underpinned by my knowledge of the game.

"Rugby League is a very honest and tough sport and it is important that the players understand the hard work they must put in and sacrifices they must make to progress to becoming a professional, but the rewards are far the highest in any sport."

The two current front rowers will be joined by Darren Abram, Ex-Warrington Wolves centre and Ex-Leigh Centurions Head Coach, whose experience of playing and coaching at the highest level will compliment the coaching team very nicely.

Working with the coaches is as important as working with the young players and all of the Youth Development coaches undergo a coach development programme through the year in order to improve, develop and share ideas. Operating in partnership with the Warrington and Cheshire Service Area means that we can work with many coaches in the area, not just the scholarship coaches; this means that more knowledge goes back into the whole game and many levels.

John Bastian sees the calculated appointments as a huge step forwards for the senior players, a great opportunity for the junior players to learn and a great move for the game of Rugby League itself, "The addition of Adrian and Paul to the coaching setup sets a great example as they both play the game hard, play the game smart and are great role models for young players.

"In addition, it provides a strong base to develop their own skills in coaching or conditioning which will benefit the game of rugby league and prepare them for the transition from player to coach".

Tony Smith believes that ex professional players are a wealth of knowledge for the game and need to be introduced into this environment. "Player to player interaction has always been very important to Rugby League at every level, with experience and knowledge being passed from player to player.

"It seems to have dropped off a little in recent times for some reason but I am glad that we are seeing it here at Warrington Wolves and with Adrian and Paul you get two good blokes with plenty of experience, who set good examples and want to share their knowledge with these young players."

Tony is aware that not all players make good coaches but those that do possess three vital ingredients: Experience, knowledge of the game at the highest level and the ability to transfer that experience and knowledge to other players. "As a player I learnt so much from being out on the park with my mates - other players; having a kick about and trying different things was great but by asking questions about how they did things and different skills was invaluable to me, the junior players at Warrington Wolves will have the opportunity to learn skills, try and practice different things as well ask Adrian and Paul questions which I think is fantastic".