Player Development Pathway

Pathway To The Future

Our Player Pathway Projects are designed to provide opportunities for male and females to excel through Rugby League activities designed to offer challenge and support for each participant, at the most appropriate time. With the development of skill and personal development at its for front.

Aimed at players aged Under 11’s to Under 18s, these programs focus on enhancing technical abilities, game understanding, and physical development while promoting teamwork, leadership and resilience. Led by both Warrington Wolves staff and coaches on our pathway from the community game.

Our Player Pathway project activities are Forge, Priestley Development Academy and High School Rugby League programs.

Forge

Forge is our open access sessions linked to the RFL’s national program – Lions Development Program (LDP). Formally known as PDP, we have taken the decision to refresh our program, with tweaks to the delivery and a fresh name. On that reflects our commitment to shaping the next generation of Wire players. The name represents strength, resilience, and the process of crafting talent, aligned with our proud heritage and vision for excellence. Timely with the clubs 150-year anniversary.

What to expect at a Forge Session?

Skill-Biased Games: Lots of opportunities for players to learn through games manipulated to develop technical ability in realistic scenarios.
Smaller Groups: Increased individual feedback in sessions and tailored coaching.
Youth Coach Involvement: Greater integration with Warrington Wolves coaches from Reserves, Academy, Scholarship, and Prospects along with support from players from each grade (where appropriate) to provide elite-level insight.
Player Education Resources: Additional materials sent home to reinforce learning and support development beyond the sessions.
Sessions Times: All sessions to run in the Half Terms.

These improvements are designed to give every player the tools, mindset, and understanding of what it takes to become a Wire player of the future.

To sign up, fill out this registration form.

Forge Dates (Facebook Post) (A4 (Landscape))

Warrington Wolves Development Academy

A partnership between Priestley College and The Warrington Wolves, our Development Academy is an opportunity for players to excel on the field and in the classroom.

This program is created to give students the opportunity to train like professional players whilst also securing the academic grades supporting them in later life.

This dual pathway approach means players are exposed to Academy level coaching whilst competing at the highest level nationally, whilst supported in gaining the qualification needed to progress into employment, apprenticeships or University.

Warrington Development Academy is not only the UK’s first Dual Rugby League Development Academy, but also the first college in the UK to hold the Men’s and Women’s National Cups at the Same time in 2025!

Since the development of the program, we have seen an influx in students progressing into Warrington’s full academy or reserves. Along with players progressing into other systems at professional clubs (Salford and Leigh). This partnership with Warrington Wolves is part of their ‘Broader for Longer’ Strategy to ensure players have the most appropriate challenge at the most appropriate time.

Learn more about the college here: https://www.priestley.ac.uk/

East v West High Schools Origin

Our newest addition to our Pathway Project, supporting the High School game in the town and giving Warrington based players the opportunity to be challenged in a different way, the addition our East v West Origin game was a huge success in 2025.

A partnered program with Ahead of The Game, a mental health awareness workshop, East v West is designed for Year 10 non-scholarship players to be nominated by their school. After nomination 20 players from each side of the town, trained and played for the first Origin title.

Congratulations to Warrington East for winning this year!

Session Location

Ryan Cartledge

Community Activator

"The Pathway Programmes are all about giving young people in our town and surround areas the tools and opportunities to reach their full potential on or off the field. It’s not only about rugby skills; it’s also about fostering resilience, teamwork, and a growth mindset that will benefit them both on and off the field.