Meet the team behind the team (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington Wolves' backroom staff in the spotlight

8:00am Monday 11th March 2013 in Wolves news

WARRINGTON Wolves have not only built a successful team on the pitch but also a successful one off it – with a group of professionals working behind the scenes to keep the side at the top of their game.

The club have enjoyed recent success under the tutelage of Tony Smith and what is now a stable backroom staff. The list on the right only scratches the surface of those who work in the performance department, with many more working on the youth development side.

The team are sitting in fourth on points difference – just one point off top spot after three wins, a draw and a loss in the opening five rounds – and are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend against derby rivals St Helens.

Head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith said of the importance of having reliable support staff: “I’m grateful for the back-up staff that we have and am also grateful that we’ve been given the resources to acquire such talented staff.

“There’s no coincidence that our increased success over the years has been due to the quality of the backroom staff, and the value of increasing the talent there has certainly paid off – to the point where we’ve been able to become a much more consistent team over a period of time. This is largely down to the backroom staff, as well as the endeavours of the players. Without the right support behind the scenes it would make things much more difficult.

“While the players and myself are representative of the coaching staff, I play a fairly small part in comparison to what the backroom do. They are tremendous to work with, and I’m very grateful, as are the players, for the support we are given by everybody within the club.

“For the backroom staff, it’s about all the hard work that goes into getting the team out on the field in the right sort of shape and mindset.

“Most of the work is done throughout the week, with game day only a snapshot and the end result of a lot of hard work by a lot of people throughout the week.

“I dare say we are one of the better resourced clubs in terms of support, and I’m grateful we are in that position and supported by the owner, Simon Moran, and the board of directors, who understand the necessity of supporting the team with the right sort of people around them.”