BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Wigan CEO Kris Radlinksi has hailed the rise of the Warriors’ women’s team and says it has added a new dimension to the club.
Wigan’s women took out their first-ever Challenge Cup last month at Wembley and currently sit on the top of the Women’s Super League table undefeated after six rounds.
Radlinski says the growth and success of the women’s team has improved the Warriors as a club.
“Denis [Betts, women’s coach] asked me to speak to the girls on the night before the Cup final, and one of the things I said to them was we’re at a club with rich heritage and history, but you guys have actually made us better,” he told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“Because you’ve brought a new dimension to the club. They’ve got their own little following, and all their fans are getting behind them.
“This year we’ve signed 500 women’s jerseys, which we’ve never done before. And also they’re playing a brand of rugby which is really exciting, it’s really great to watch.
“I genuinely believe they’ve brought a new interest and a new dimension to our club. I’m thoroughly enjoying watching them and they’re making us better.”
Radlinski praised the impact of Betts, the legendary former Wigan player and coach, on the group.
“Denis has done a really wonderful job,” he said.
“I can see it from a pure coaching point of view, in such a short period. Basic skills like perhaps two on ones where they might struggle, but basic skills where they’re making it look very, very easy.
“So from a pure coaching point of view he has done a wonderful job.”
Wigan have invested in their women’s team over time and have focused on youth development and bringing in players from their own academy.
“There’s some trailblazers in there, you look at Victoria Molyneux and Rachel Thompson and Georgia Wilson, probably the experience,” Radlinksi said.
“But beneath them we’ve got such a rich blood of young players who are exciting.
“We have some photographs at the club of some of these young girls who have pictures with the girls from a few years ago who were playing, and it just shows you the actual role model status and the roles these people have played in their development.
“They grew up wanting to play for Wigan Warriors women, particularly Izzy Rowe and Jenna in the halfbacks there, they’ve literally supported the club all their lives and now they’re playing.
“It’s a really brilliant story.”