FIVE Warrington Wolves Handball Club players have been have been selected to train with top European club FC Barcelona in August.

Three under 18s players will train with the FCB Cadet team and two senior players will train with the B squad. They will work on the physical, technical and tactical aspects of handball.

Under 18s left back Nate Green, 17-year-old right wing Evan Nichol a right wing and left wing, Jacob Maxted, aged 18, will travel from the youth team.

Senior members Liam Welsby, a 20-year-old playmaker, and 25-year-old left back Rafik Tahraoui will also attend.

Wolves head coach Bill Baillie, who set up the partnership, said: “We are always trying to find ways to help our players develop and through my friendship with Ferran Porres we have been able to set up this fantastic opportunity.”

Later this year the club will be sending another four players over to the Flensburg academy, while Baillie also confirmed the club is looking to provide a similar opportunity for the girl’s team.

He said: “We are in talks with another high-profile club in Slovenia so we can offer this opportunity to the girl’s squad.

"The club has great ambition and we realise that we have to be creative in order to help our young players realise their goals in life and handball.”

Wolves chairman Kristian Marsh said: “This is a terrific opportunity for the players and I am sure they will all gain from the experience.

“We have a team of young British players for this coming season, with a tremendous blend of experience and youth.

"Last year Warrington Wolves enjoyed some memorable moments on the court, winning the Super-8 and the England Handball Association National Cup.

"I am confident that we have a squad of players that will do themselves proud this coming season and opportunities like the one kindly offered by FC Barcelona can only help.”

“We also have a very talented group of young girls and the club will work equally hard to develop a similar project to support them. This will be a very exciting opportunity for them in the coming years.”

Girl’s head coach, and 2012 Olympian, Holly Lam Moores welcomed the possibility of a similar chance for the girl’s squad.

She said: “An opportunity like this will expose some of our young players to some high-quality handball and hopefully inspire them in the process.”

Neil Kelly Warrington Wolves Foundation Director said: “It has been fantastic to work in partnership with the handball club to secure such a prestigious partnership.

"We are very excited to see the progress of the handball team and especially the young players that will be offered this marvellous chance. The sport has a strong future and is in good hands.”