Widnes Vikings launch new youth performance system

11:54am Monday 24th November 2008

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A unique youth performance system has been launched by Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club to transform talented local youngsters into top international standard players.

Stuart Wilkinson, Vikings’ Head of Youth Performance, who joined the club in February, has already established training opportunities and career pathways that will one day be the envy of the rugby league world.

His new ‘Performance Pathway’ programme aims to capture promising players at an early age and then provide them not only with top rugby coaching facilities but nurture them as all-round athletes too. This physical training is also being complemented by partnerships with local school, Bankfield, Riverside College and Edge Hill University, providing aspiring first team players with knowledge and qualifications which will equip them for life.

“We want to nurture our talented youngsters to create focused, robust, all-round athletes who remain committed to their local team until they are eligible to become first team players at the age of 18 or 19,” said Stuart. “We want to retain these children by offering them a performance pathway that is the best in the country. Our aim is to create an open, inclusive, safe environment so young people can grow with confidence.”

Widnes Vikings’ Junior Academy currently has places for 70 young athletes, aged 13 – 19, and annually accepts 12 new recruits at Year 8 on to its Performance Pathway training programme. In addition to twice weekly rugby coaching sessions, youngsters are now also benefiting from regular personalised sports specific fitness sessions with weights and in the local swimming pool and gym, backed up by both sports science and sports medicine expertise.

Stuart added: “We want to build a visible, robust performance pathway underpinned by holistic player development programmes. Although the Widnes area is still working to improve its sports facilities, our partnership with local schools and colleges can create a youth programme that is the best in the country.”

Partnerships with Tony Charlton at Edge Hill University, Phil Finney, a former rugby league international at Riverside College and Neil Bourke, Widnes Vikings coach and PE teacher at Bankfield School are already reaping results.

The Bankfield scheme is the first of its kind in this country and aims to provide a totally student-centred curriculum for Halton’s talented young sportsmen. The school’s proactive approach identifies children’s sporting talents and customises the curriculum to suit their needs. Neil Bourke added: “The end result will no doubt have a positive impact on all parties with a vested interest.”

Edge Hill has just launched a new degree in sports science and more than 20 young players are now studying on specialist BTEC sports courses at Riverside College as part of the new Rugby League Academy.

They feature six Widnes Vikings professional players, including Josh Simm, Anthony Mullally and Shane Grady, who have just been given first team contracts, Warrington Wolves professional, Craig Lawton, and England Schoolboys International, Danny Wakefield, who now plays for St Helens RLFC.

Phil Finney explained: “The course covers a diverse range of sports-related topics but all modules are delivered to ensure the passion for rugby league is harnessed effectively to inspire students to succeed both academically and to improve their performance on the pitch.

“As an ex-professional player, I recognised there was a lack of opportunity for highly talented rugby league players to combine both their studies and the pressures they are faced with whilst either training as professionals or still working towards achieving this status. Often one area of a player’s life is neglected at the expense of the other. With a high percentage of players dropping out of the game, I believe it is vital our young players receive an education that is flexible, meets their individual needs and guarantees they have something they can combine alongside their playing careers that will ensure they have a bright future, whatever route they take.”