Warriors attend first Player and Coach Education Festival

Wigan Warriors recently attended the first Player and Coach Education Festival led by the Rugy football league.

Hosted at Leeds Beckett University last weekend, players, coaches and staff from all 12 Elite Academies attended the festival which focused on future development as professional sportsmen.

Participants took part in workshops and education sessions including nutrition, with players given access to an app developed by Leeds Beckett University – as part of their support of the England Men’s Pathway – which shows how to eat like an England player.

The latest developments in medical knowledge around brain health and concussion were covered, alongside a session from UK Anti-Doping and a focus on the psychology of being a professional athlete.

Speaking on the Festival, Wigan Warriors Head of Youth, Shane Eccles said: “The day provided a great opportunity for our Academy and Scholars to attend a variety of workshops to upskill and develop their knowledge on how to behave as a professional athletes.

“Our players completed several physical tests to assess their current performance, which can now be used by our staff to develop goals to progress along the pathway. Staff received education on various topics which were then discussed with staff from other clubs to help develop young players.

“We would like to thank Paul Anderson and Cameron Owen for making this happen and look forward to future sessions for our players.”

Head of England’s Male Pathways, Paul Anderson added: “I’d like to thank and congratulate all for an enjoyable and productive weekend. I believe we’re the first sport to have brought so many players from different clubs together at this age group for sessions on such a wide range of topics.

“I hope the players and coaches will view the weekend as similarly beneficial, as their careers develop inside and outside the sport.”