New Youth guru for Wigan

Super League champions Wigan have appoined John Winder as the club’s Head of Youth Performance.

Winder is no stranger to the Warriors, having led their Community Team before a three-year spell in Australia with Melbourne.

Head Coach Michael Maguire said: “I am delighted to be working with John once more having been together at Melbourne Storm where he was in a Coaching and Development role, John also Coached the Storm’s Under 18’s and Reserve Grade. John will be responsible for the Club’s Youth set-up from talent identification to player recruitment and then developing the players in the club’s squads.”

Winder, who has also worked on Youth Performance Schemes with the RFL, will oversee all aspects of Youth and Player Performance across the whole club, including player recruitment and development.

He said: “I am pleased be back at Wigan and to be working again with Madge. The Youth Department is an essential part of the Club, recruiting and developing the players of the future. Wigan traditionally has a wonderful history of bringing quality young players through the system from Scholarship to Academy, Reserve Grade to First Team and I am looking forward to playing my part in this important process.”