Mission Statement

The aim of Warrington Wolves Supporters’ Trust – Squadbuilder (WWST) is to support the development, coaching and promotion of young rugby players at all levels. This includes aiding local junior sides, schools and the U 16’s and U 18’s at Warrington Wolves, through to fully professional Wolves’ players.

The WWST has donated over £200,000 since its inception in 2002, by supporting the Wolves' youth development department and the Wolves' Foundation Community team, funding the training and education of players and coaches and the donation of equipment.

They want as many home grown players at the club as possible. This would be a source of great pride not only for the club and the fans but also for the players, their families and friends, their school and community club.

Warrington Wolves has announced the squad numbers for 2020 and it’s fantastic to see there are 13 Squadbuilder players in the 33-man squad. Established first team regulars Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Toby King, Joe Philbin and Dec Patton are joined by Ellis Robson. Nathan Roebuck, Josh Thewlis, Riley Dean, Ellis Longstaff, Cole Oakley, Eribe Doro and Reece Hamblett in the senior squad, with Connor Wrench to join them after he completes his studies in June.

Good luck to them all in 2020. It’s so good to see so many home grown Squadbuilder players coming through the system.

2020 sees the return of Reserves fixtures. It is a great opportunity for the fringe players and Academy graduates to get chance of some quality game time, rather than having long spells of inactivity; with Lee Mitchell appointed as coach. A local home grown player, Lee has many years’ experience as a professional player at the Wire and as captain of Rochdale Hornets and with his more recent role as community coach for the Wolves' Foundation

Warringtonian Mike Cooper has been awarded a very well-deserved testimonial by the RFL in 2020. TThe first Squadbuilder testimonial player, with the Trust nominated as one of Mike’s Testimonial beneficiaries.

Mike’s testimonial game against Salford Red Devils played on 23rd January featured his special testimonial shirt which had ‘Squadbuilder’ on the front. The shirts are available from https://www.1895sports.com/club/mike-cooper-testimonial/

It was with much pride that Joe Philbin represented Great Britain in the Lions tour this autumn and Toby King playing for the England Knights in October. Ben Currie took a well-deserved self-imposed break from International rugby and hopefully we will reap the benefit of this season.

The home game against Catalans Dragons in August 2019 featured SEVEN home grown Squadbuilder players including debutant Josh Thewlis. It was also great to see 17 year old Riley Dean make his debut against Saints in August. Academy graduates Josh Thewlis and Ellis Longstaff have both signed full time contracts with the club until November 2022. Josh Thewlis, Cole Oakley, Connor Wrench, George Roby and Jacob Gannon all represented England Academy in October 2019

How have they supported the club recently?

Last year saw the installation of new wresting mats, sponsored by Squadbuilder and the Vice Presidents, at the Padgate Campus training facility. Later in the year two rowing machines and two Ski Ergs were also bought for the gym for use by all the squads.

Ade Gardner, the club’s head of performance said: “The Scholarship and Academy programmes benefit greatly from the quality of our training facility and it allows our academy strength and conditioning staff to deliver a high calibre and thorough strength programme that would not be possible without the support of Squadbuilder”.

Other sponsorship includes that of the Academy’s 48-hour Winter Training at Catterick Army Camp in December, where they endured a technology free outdoor challenge in really testing conditions; and the training kit for the England Talent Pathway (ETP) programme for 350 players across the different age groups across all seven community clubs. The first sessions were held in October. Thre is also support for the coaching programme for ETP. There are now 750 young players in the Warrington area compared with 319 three years ago.

Squadbuilder is delighted to continue to be sponsor of Academy coach Paul Anderson in 2020; workling closely with head of youth Peter Riding and his staff throughout the season.

New members are always welcome to support. So please spread the word and encourage your friends and family and fellow Wire supporters.

Squadbuilder & Supporters Trust