Widnes Vikings players began pre-season training this past week, as they look to build towards a big 2024 season.
The squad returned on Monday evening where they met with Allan Coleman and his coaching staff to outline the standards and expectations for the group ahead of the new campaign.
Tuesday evening marked the start of preparations as the team had their first session under Allan Coleman, who embarks on in his first pre-season at the club since his appointment as Head Coach and will work alongside a full support staff to help prepare the Vikings for the season ahead.
That support staff has been strengthened as the Vikings welcome a new physio and a new strength & conditioning coach to the team for 2024.
New S&C coach Adam Williams joins the club from Warrington Wolves, he said: “I’m really looking forward to being part of this team at a really exciting time for the club.
“Allan has set out how he wants the team to play and it’s up to me to do everything I can to get them physically ready to play that way come the start of the season.”
New physio Rhys Perrett arrives from North Wales Crusaders, he also discussed how pleased he is to be joining Allan Coleman’s backroom staff ahead of the upcoming season.
He said: “I’m privileged to be a part of the club and work with Allan and the coaching staff is exciting and we want to help the players push forward to work towards achieving the kind of success Widnes Vikings have known in the past.
“I have a wealth of experience with elite athletes from many sports including rugby league and aim to bring a standard of care to the team to ensure the players can perform at their best.”
Allan Coleman was thrilled to have Rhys and Adam on board, he said: “Rhys came across real strong in the interview. It’s vitally important that I get the perfect team around me.
“He’s very similar to myself, he started a bit lower and he wants to work his way up. If people were willing to give me a chance, I’ve got to do the same for others.
“And with Adam, for such a young guy, he’s very knowledgeable and really into the sports science side of everything. Some of his ideas were breathtaking for me, so I was really excited to get him on board.”
He added: “You look at Wigan last year with Matty Peet, Leuluai, and O’Loughlin, they were brilliant together, you could see on the camera and at the games that they just bounced off each other.
“The staff connections were tremendous which is something I feel we need to get at Widnes.”
Chris Hamilton, Head of Operations said “There has been a lot going on behind the scenes at the club recently, and we are now firmly on the road to the new season with the lads back in pre-season training.
“It gives everybody the chance to stake their claim for a starting spot come the start of the season and it is obviously an important time as Allan and the staff start to get across all their ideas on how the team will play this season.”
The lads will continue to ramp up preparations as they gear up for 2024. Get your season tickets here
