Priestley College and The Warrington Wolves Development Academy is an opportunity for players to excel on the field and in the classroom.
This program is created to give students the opportunity to train like professional players whilst also securing the academic grades that can be crucial if their rugby careers do not take off.
This dual pathway approach means you can leave the academy playing a higher level of rugby and with qualifications that can lead you to university, apprenticeships and employment.
Since Priestley College’s Rugby Programme was named the UK’s first Dual Rugby League Development Academy, we have seen an influx in students progressing into Warrington’s full academy or reserves. Along with players progressing into other systems at professional clubs (Salford and Leigh). This partnership with Warrington Wolves is part of their ‘Broader for Longer’ Strategy to ensure players have the most appropriate challenge at the most appropriate time.
Leagues and Cup competitions
Our Development Academy competes in the National Premier Division and National Cup each year. We are always competing for success and strive to be in the top four each year. Since becoming the UK’s First Dual Rugby League Development Academy, we have achieved are top-four goal each year and more.
Honours:
- North West division Champions (unbeaten season) – 2019/20
- The UK’s First Accredited Dual Rugby League Development Academy – 2020
- No Games Due To COVID-19 – 2020/21
- National Cup Finalists – 2021/22
- National Cup Winners – 2021/22
- Promotion to Premier Division – 2021/22
- Premier Division Play Offs – 2022/23
- Premier Division Grand Finalists – 2022/23
- Premier Division Play Offs – 2023/24
- Premier Division Play Offs – 2024/25
What the program looks like?
Members of the academy will benefit in the following ways:
- Up to 12 hours training/Games a week at both Priestley College and Warrington Wolves First Team Facilities built into your college timetable.
- Working with Warrington Wolves coaches.
- Sports Science Sport with our program partner Liverpool John Moores:
- Strength and Conditioning Support
- Nutrition Support
- Physical Testing and GPS monitoring in games
- Performance / video analysis
- Competing in the Premiership College League
- Opportunities to progress into Warrington Wolves Academy or Reserve grade teams
Training Kit
Once selected for the academy, players are required to purchase kit for training and travelling to matches. We recommend that all players purchase at least one T-Shirt, a Quarter Zip and Shorts. Details will be shared upon selection.
Destinations/Exit-routes
Many of our students leave our program still participating in competitive Rugby League. Some playing in the Community Leagues, University Rugby League, Academy or Reserve Squads and even in Australia! We have a list of graduates who upon entering the program were not in a traditional pathway system and leave experiencing the elite level. We are extremely proud of, and we strive for that list to continue to grow year on year!
Priestley Development Alumni
- Adam Whalley – Academy
- Alfie Bowman – Academy
- Bobby Shingler – Reserves
- Dylon Braddish – Academy
- Ewan Smith – Reserves
- Jack McCarthey – Academy (St Helens)
- Jimmy Hodgkiss – Academy (Salford)
- Joe Bajer – Reserves
- Karlton Bates – Academy
- Layton Jupp – Academy (Leigh)
- Lewis Johnson – Academy (Salford)
- Logan Raughter – Reserves
- Lucas Mulqueeney – Academy
- Noel Rafferty – Academy (Leigh)
- Sam Marshall – Reserves
- Stephen Antrobus – Academy
- Thomas Ashurst – League 1 (Swinton)
Meet the Coaches
Ryan Cartledge – Pathways Co-ordinator (11-18)
Ryan Cartledge is the Program Leader of the Rugby Development Academy. Ryan joined the Warrington Wolves Foundation in 2018 as a volunteer coach before becoming a Full-Time Employee in 2019. With experiences in Coaching and Performance Analysis in Rugby League and American Football. Ryan joined the coaching team at Priestley in 2019/2020 working with both the Male and Female academies. Alongside his role within The Community Foundation developing the Player Pathway Programs, Ryan is also part of the Scholarship coaching team at Warrington Wolves.
Lee Westwood – Talent ID Co-ordinator
Lee Westwood has a host of experiences across his years at the Warrington Wolves Club and Foundation. Coaching the Scholarship, Academy and Reserves along with being Head Coach of The Women’s Team in 2018-2023. Lee’s role is now to co-ordinate the Talent Identification Team at Warrington Wolves, along with providing Community Club invitational sessions for the clubs in and around the town. Lee has been involved with the College Program from the very start and has been influential in the success of our program and the number of players who have transitioned into the clubs tradition pathway (Academy or Reserves).
Craig Lawton – Broader Talent Pathways Coach
Craig Lawton is the newest member of the team. Joining our Broader Talent Pathways Coaching team, coaching on our Player Development Pathways Program and Prospects our Priestley Development Academy Recruitment Program. Craig an ex-Warrington Wolves Academy player, currently working with Warrington Wolves Academy and Reserves brings another layer of experiences to the coaching team and is excited to help us become even more successful in 2025/26 and beyond.