Wakefield appoint Kelly head of youth

Wakefield Wildcats have appointed Richard Kelly as the club’s new head of youth and development.

The Academy has been extremely important for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats producing high quality players such as Chris Annakin, Ben Shulver, Max Jowitt, Tom Johnstone and Jordan Crowther who have all broken into the first team squad.

Kelly has a vast experience within most levels of the game and working within the junior development which has seen him work within school, the community game and as the Head Coach of the Junior Academy at Huddersfield Giants.

He has had a strong link with the Wildcats since he was 15-years old following in the footsteps of his three older brothers, joining the club  when he was 15 and then progressed through the junior system, making his first team debut at 18 and is also an avid fan of the club.

Kelly will also be supporting the community department at the club building the strong links with the community clubs alongside the new Ambassadors Scheme which was launched last month.

“It is an absolute honour to be appointed the Head of Youth Development and Performance at my hometown club,” Kelly said.

“It is a position I have worked towards both empirically and academically for a number of years. This doesn’t represent a job or career move for me, it is a vocation, a passion and an opportunity to leave an incredible mark on a club that’s always been a part of my life.

“I’m excited about the prospects that lay ahead, sure there’s plenty of hard work to be done, but it is a challenge both I and the club are willing to meet.”