Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Mon Dec 02, 2024 6:46 pm  

Chambers is over at Vegas now sorcing training facilities for the team.
Glad we are taking it very seriously.

Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Tue Dec 03, 2024 2:32 pm  

karetaker wrote:

Regardless of what club does what the culture that grew at our club in the past needs to be 100% eradicated. It did start to Change when Smith came in but then stalled, I’m not sure why but my theory was what was already embedded within the club we never completely removed it. Jobs for the boys etc and back room staff or staff in the office we still had links with the past.

Now this is only me theorising but that’s how I see it. With the appointment of Chambers as DoR and some of the changes he has helped to make we can be the club some hope for, it’s just going to take time. Where it will be hard to compete with Wigan is they have a bigger catchment when it comes to schools rugby and are a lot longer established at bringing them through.

Wigan fan in peace, I like reading this board as there are some really balanced and sensible views and some really good discussions.

Not sure about the bit in bold you have said, I don't think it is because there is a bigger catchment when it comes to the schools as such, Wigan often venture out much further afield than just local schools and that is something that all clubs could do.

One thing that Wigan do do really well is the pathway to being a Wigan player, they have the futures programme (age 14) which takes players from amateur clubs and puts them all together for an intense programme to see what the players are like, often these are assisted by coaches of the local clubs, under the guidance of Wigan coaching staff, further local club coaches can attend sessions with the Wigan coaching staff to see how the club train and build a winning culture.

So the pathway that is built at Wigan often starts at the local clubs and the kids coming through have already been coached in the 'Wigan way' before they are even signed on at the club, I don't know the pathways at Warrington but to build that culture of young kids wanting to put their bodies on the line for the club, it has to start at an early age and the club cascading that down to the local clubs and schools is a key part of that.

Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Tue Dec 03, 2024 2:58 pm  

Warrior Winger wrote:

Wigan fan in peace, I like reading this board as there are some really balanced and sensible views and some really good discussions.

Not sure about the bit in bold you have said, I don't think it is because there is a bigger catchment when it comes to the schools as such, Wigan often venture out much further afield than just local schools and that is something that all clubs could do.

One thing that Wigan do do really well is the pathway to being a Wigan player, they have the futures programme (age 14) which takes players from amateur clubs and puts them all together for an intense programme to see what the players are like, often these are assisted by coaches of the local clubs, under the guidance of Wigan coaching staff, further local club coaches can attend sessions with the Wigan coaching staff to see how the club train and build a winning culture.

So the pathway that is built at Wigan often starts at the local clubs and the kids coming through have already been coached in the 'Wigan way' before they are even signed on at the club, I don't know the pathways at Warrington but to build that culture of young kids wanting to put their bodies on the line for the club, it has to start at an early age and the club cascading that down to the local clubs and schools is a key part of that.

Good post I liked reading that, of course I don’t know the full workings of how Wigan get the kids through I just know from history they are better than we have been at this. I am just hopeful it’s a path we can start to take, think it was a few years ago when Saints came and swooped up a load of kids and I was thinking at the time why have we allowed this but then we were still in the trying to buy a win phase.

Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Tue Dec 03, 2024 3:16 pm  

Just for context regarding that Saints raid - we've got Taylor-Wray, Lindop and Holroyd about to become first team regulars and all three are top drawer players. The Rylands side that Saints scooped up - correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think one of them is anywhere close to the Saints first team.....and they've had Waqa Blake in the side.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Tue Dec 03, 2024 4:27 pm  

ratticusfinch wrote:

Just for context regarding that Saints raid - we've got Taylor-Wray, Lindop and Holroyd about to become first team regulars and all three are top drawer players. The Rylands side that Saints scooped up - correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think one of them is anywhere close to the Saints first team.....and they've had Waqa Blake in the side.

Which is a fair point, BUT I'd like a set up where we are geared up for having 'first dibs' on local talent.

Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Tue Dec 03, 2024 4:38 pm  

Uncle Rico wrote:

Which is a fair point, BUT I'd like a set up where we are geared up for having 'first dibs' on local talent.

If you have a good set up with good progression from juniors through to first team and that ‘first dibs’ will follow. I think the club have been too quick to plug perceived gaps in the squad from outside, rather than focusing on the talent coming through. The key of course is having that quality in place, no point throwing a kid in for the sake of it - it all needs to be aligned


Warrington have the PDP (Player Devlopment Pathway) from u12’s (high school) onwards, which is open to players in Warrington and beyond. I know Wigan and Saints do similar. As the players progress through the system a select number I.e the best prospects will be invited to join tailored training sessions. PDP sessions remain open to everyone though through to U16’s I think. At which point players can join up with a programme at Priestly College I think.

In terms of Wigan, I like the idea of the club coaches being involved - not sure how much of that goes on at the Wire.

Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Tue Dec 03, 2024 6:08 pm  

Warrior Winger wrote:

Wigan fan in peace, I like reading this board as there are some really balanced and sensible views and some really good discussions.

Not sure about the bit in bold you have said, I don't think it is because there is a bigger catchment when it comes to the schools as such, Wigan often venture out much further afield than just local schools and that is something that all clubs could do.

One thing that Wigan do do really well is the pathway to being a Wigan player, they have the futures programme (age 14) which takes players from amateur clubs and puts them all together for an intense programme to see what the players are like, often these are assisted by coaches of the local clubs, under the guidance of Wigan coaching staff, further local club coaches can attend sessions with the Wigan coaching staff to see how the club train and build a winning culture.

So the pathway that is built at Wigan often starts at the local clubs and the kids coming through have already been coached in the 'Wigan way' before they are even signed on at the club, I don't know the pathways at Warrington but to build that culture of young kids wanting to put their bodies on the line for the club, it has to start at an early age and the club cascading that down to the local clubs and schools is a key part of that.

All SL clubs do the pathway, nothing new there, just depends which tracksuit the young kids want to wear, I’ve seen lads on scholarship turn up with their scholarship clubs gear on for their community clubs games, not a good look

Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Wed Dec 04, 2024 12:12 pm  

Big lads mate wrote:

All SL clubs do the pathway, nothing new there, just depends which tracksuit the young kids want to wear, I’ve seen lads on scholarship turn up with their scholarship clubs gear on for their community clubs games, not a good look

I think it is more based on how Wigan do the pathway by also involving local club coaches and holding sessions for coaches, that then is taken back to the amateur club and taught to the kids.

I would imagine a Warrington youngster would dream of wearing home town colours unless they were a fan of a different club and for them seeing a clear pathway to first grade is essential, first team success also plays a part as well as all want to win when playing sports, but there is a lot of pride in making at your home town club and I think those who come through the pathway at Wigan can see that it does work whereas I am not sure it is reflected the same at other clubs

Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Wed Dec 04, 2024 12:59 pm  

Warrior Winger wrote:

I think it is more based on how Wigan do the pathway by also involving local club coaches and holding sessions for coaches, that then is taken back to the amateur club and taught to the kids.

I would imagine a Warrington youngster would dream of wearing home town colours unless they were a fan of a different club and for them seeing a clear pathway to first grade is essential, first team success also plays a part as well as all want to win when playing sports, but there is a lot of pride in making at your home town club and I think those who come through the pathway at Wigan can see that it does work whereas I am not sure it is reflected the same at other clubs

They also use community club coaches as well, for quite a while now , not just a Wigan thing

Re: Mike Cooper podcast : Wed Dec 04, 2024 1:02 pm  

Wigan's great success over the years has been special. But if Bevan French was suddenly transferred to another top clubs the big games might be a bit more competitive. So they have also made some excellent recruits to add to their Wigan born ones.