WARRINGTON Wolves have appointed Stuart Barrow as player performance manager and reserves coach ahead of the forthcoming season.
Barrow has previously held positions at both Castleford and Bradford working in a player performance manager role.
He spent three years as England academy assistant coach and two years as England youth head coach between 2010 and 2015. Over the last 18 months he has worked for the RFL in the role of coach education project manager.
The reserves grade has been introduced alongside the U19s and U16s academy competitions with all home fixtures to be held at Victoria Park.
Barrow said on joining the club: “It is an honour to join such a big club with strong traditions of developing youth. I am looking forward to helping aid players along the pathway and contributing towards the Wolves’ journey to becoming world class at player production.”
Phil Jones, head of youth, junior recruitment and development, added: “Stuart is a very valuable addition to the performance team; he has vast coaching experience at this level with Castleford Tigers, Bradford Bulls and England. He has similar views on coaching philosophy but is very prepared to challenge the status quo and will be key in continuing to move the programme forward.
“As well as being player performance manager he will be coaching the new reserves team which is a much-needed additional grade. The reserves will allow players the opportunity of a longer pathway as the majority are not quite ready to play Super League at the age of 19.”
Roger Draper, Wolves’ chief executive, said: “As a club we were one of many campaigning for the return of the reserves grade and are delighted that this is now in place for the coming season. We pride ourselves on investing in developing young players from their school and community rugby through to the first grade.
“The reserves competition will help to better bridge the gap between the academy and first grade maintaining the individual player development until they are ready to make their Super League start; so that no player is lost in the system.”
