Junior Squads

[acetheviking]

Now listed for 2011 on the Official Site under the teams tab. Judging by the size of the squad it looks like we are running a competitive 15's aswell this year.

Reserves have added Liam Thompson as expected and Danny Wakefield, a stand off from St Helens. No Chris Walsh listed in the squad though. New coaching staff of Mark Moran with Mike Wainwright and Vinny Myler as assistant coaches. Not sure what the score is with Dave Banks.

Academy is as you would expect. Last years 16's moving up to join those from the 18's still eligible to play at that level. Coached by Martin Cunningham with Paul Hulme as assistant.

Under 16's looks an interesting age group with some good local lads from West Bank Bears in there and a few from Bold Miners which seems to have been a place we have picked up from each year for a while. Quick google also suggests that we have picked up four lads for scholarship from Gogledd Cymru U '16 rep side. One of those four is a Widnes lad (Scott Critchley) but the other three are from Mold RUFC. The most interesting name being fly half  Emyr Gwynedd. To be coached by the Warrington Wizards coaching team of Chris Campbell and Mike Grady.

Under 15's look like a mix from Widnes and Warrington lads with an interesting name in Almer Tagayuna. To be coached by Liam Clarke and Lee Cunningham who I have no knowledge of but im sure someone on here will.

[widnesfan2]

Im sure Lee Cunningham is the coach for Burtonwood Bulldogs in the NWC 15S League

[own brain]

Lee is Burtonwoods coach, and Almer plays for the bulldogs too.

[mdj1997]

im playing burtonwood this week end

[mascoviking]

Lee is the Burtonwood wood coach, a work coleague and a good friend. The lad mentioned with "interesting name" Almer, is a very exciting prospect. The u15's is a mixture mainly of widnes and Warrington lads, with a few from other areas,

[Widnesacademy]

Mark Moran who is coaching the reserves, is an excellent coach who used to coach at warrington wolves service area and scholarship.

[Ellis01]

Chris Campbell and Mike Grady are both young Widnes lads who were in the first year of coaching last year, they won the Grand Final with the Wizards and took them to 3rd round of challenge cup nearly bearing Swinton.

[asterix]

Fair dinkum getting the best men for the job and Im not questioning their ability one bit BUT where are the local Widnes coaches, At Service Area when I was involved there was about 20+ coaches

[Ellis01]

They are local, both from Cronton. I thought it was a good choice as they are local. If I'm honest I don't know the service area coaches so can't comment in that side of things.

[MT]

Is it the same Chris Campbell who played a few games on the wing for us about a decade ago?

[Ellis01]

Yeh, the winger. Played a couple of friendlies.

[WBB_90]

With regards to U 15's side, I coach at West Bank 15's and i have got players that should be on the scolarship, you have to question the ability of the players on that, Burtonwood are sitting bottom of the league, while we are mid table and into a cup final. Its up to Widnes to get out more to look at these players which they don't.

With regards to asterix comment about Widnes coaches, I can tell you that its all about if your face fits, I am level 2 qualified and also in university studying sports coaching, but like I said its if your face fits.

[Ellis01]

With regards to U 15's side, I coach at West Bank 15's and i have got players that should be on the scolarship, you have to question the ability of the players on that, Burtonwood are sitting bottom of the league, while we are mid table and into a cup final. Its up to Widnes to get out more to look at these players which they don't.

With regards to asterix comment about Widnes coaches, I can tell you that its all about if your face fits, I am level 2 qualified and also in university studying sports coaching, but like I said its if your face fits.

But as I mentioned are these lads not Widnes Coaches looking for an opportunity? What do you mean by if your face fits, does this type of  thing happen at Widnes?

[own brain]

there is always an element of if your face fits... its just a fact of life. but equally, if you are a coach, you want to win, so ultimately you would be foolish not to pick who you think are the best players, wouldnt you? as if you didnt and didnt win, then p45 time.

[Ellis01]

Apparently the club scout the players and the coaches work with what they got. If I'm honest can be a bit frustrating for a coach.