In depth: A safe return to training
- Player Welfare Manager Tom Fitzpatrick explains the work that has been done to see the return of full team training this week.
- Fitzpatrick has been at the centre of putting procedures in place for a safe return to Robin Park Arena.
- He also talks about training in lockdown and the importance of player health and welfare.
“There’s a lot of work going on to try and keep everyone safe,” says Wigan Warriors Player Welfare Manager Tom Fitzpatrick who has been heavily involved in helping the first team squad to return to full team training this week.
The Warriors began back training at Robin Park Arena on Monday for the first time in four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Players and staff at all 11 Betfred Super League clubs have now been tested at least twice ahead of the restart of the competition next weekend and from a total of 924 tests, none have tested positive for Covid-19.
And Fitzpatrick says thorough planning has gone in to make sure the training facility has the correct protocols and procedures to make sure Wigan can return to Betfred Super League action safely.
“A lot of work has gone in to making sure Robin Park Arena is Covid secure,” he said. “For the first part of lockdown, I was contacting players and making sure everyone was okay – mentally – they were as good as they could be.
“Then the challenge to return to training came along and it wasn’t easy at times. Different challenges came up, but it’s definitely been worth it.
“I and a number of other colleagues have had a lot of meetings for the last two months about the guidance from the Government, Department for Culture, Music and Sport, the RFL and the clinical advisory group from the RFL – there’s been a lot of things we’ve had to do.
“The site itself has been made exclusive for our use, risk assessments have been done on the building, all staff and players have been tested, there are chairs on the running track as the changing room doesn’t allow for social distancing, and day-to-day training is different too.
“The RFL have issued guidance that lets us train – we’re limited to the amount of close contact training we can do, and we have to track that through GPS, and the players have to fill in a well-being chart to register that they’re Covid free.
“It’s not normal but it’s as close as we’re going to get at the minute.”
Head Coach, Adrian Lam, added: “We’ve been briefed really well by the hierarchy at the Club – the whole facility has been set up to be Covid secure prior to us arriving back in.
“We’ve also watched a video on how to get around Robin Park and have been in a number of Zoom meetings to make sure we we’re well prepared to return safely.
“We’ve made commitments to make sure we train safely inside the gym and on the field – we have to make sure we protect each other.”
With training now well underway for the Warriors, Fitzpatrick says the first team squad have worked excellently throughout lockdown to keep fit and in shape.
“Like everyone, players have had tough times throughout lockdown, but they’ve adapted well. With Matrix sponsoring the gym at Robin Park, we managed to lend out a lot of kit to players throughout lockdown for them to use at home.
“Whilst it wasn’t ideal, it was a lot better than maybe what we would have had in the past where we didn’t have as much kit to give out. All the players have come back in really good shape.
“They’ve done a great job of looking after themselves. Running wise – they are where we would think they would be, and from a strength and gym perspective – they are pretty good too – we had a threshold that we hoped they would be in and they are all definitely well within it.”
Despite the excitement throughout the squad and backroom staff of this week’s return, Fitzpatrick admits there are still understandable worries because of family health risks.
He said: “To be back and to be around each other – socially distanced at the same time – is brilliant.
“Having a routine again and having something that we recognise – similar to what we had before – has been massive for everyone. There is a structure to the day again – it’s not what we had before but it’s very similar and it’s definitely lifted everyone, including the staff too.
“Although players are glad to be back, there are obvious apprehensions. A lot of them have got families at home, some of them have got families that have had to be shielded, so for them to come back in has been a big ask.
“They’ve had to opt in, we’ve had to do risk assessments on players and the family members within their household. With the protocols in place we are confident everyone is safe and secure. It’s important to look after everyone.”
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