- Train like a professional rugby league player
- Secure academic qualifications
- Improve your level with Warrington Wolves’ coaches
Priestley College and Warrington Wolves’ Category 3 academy sees students 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.
Members of the academy will benefit in the following ways:
- Up to 12 hours training a week
- Working with Warrington Wolves coaches
- Weights programme
- Building knowledge about nutrition
- Performance / video analysis
- Competing in the Premiership College League
- Opportunities to progress into Warrington Wolves’ U19s or reserve grade teams
The academy is a chance to impress for players who have not been picked up by a scholarship, are new to the game or matured physically later than their peers.
Warrington Wolves firmly supports the academy and believes it provides a great opportunity to spot potential late developers or players who have not been exposed to the sport previously.
Head of Youth Pete Riding said: “The quality of coaching is of the highest standard driven by Lee Westwood and Lee Mitchell and can only have a positive impact on the players.
“Rugby league is a late maturation sport so this pathway gives time for late developers to come through and give them an opportunity to progress.”
For more details about the rugby academy email Lee Mitchell at l.mitchell@priestley.ac.uk
Meet the Warrington Wolves Coaching Staff
The coaching staff support the college’s men’s and women’s Rugby League Academy Teams
Lee Mitchell
Mark Isherwood
Alex Bielby
Lee Westwood
Ryan Cartledge
UK's first Dual Academy
Priestley College’s rugby programme was named the UK’s first Dual Rugby League Development Academy.
Speaking to the young players at Victoria Park, RFL player development manager Phil Jones said it was a historic moment for all those involved.
“This is a first and that can never be taken away from any of you, Priestley College or Warrington Wolves,” he said.
“I’d like to congratulate Priestley because we see this as a model for how these academies should work.”
Priestley set up its rugby academy three years ago and it was initially just for boys.
However, the growing number of girls taking up the sport led to enough demand for a women’s team.
Community rugby league manager Lee Mitchell also has high expectations for the women.
“Their programme will become more intensive next year and that’s just a natural progression as the women’s game at Priestley continues to thrive,” he said.