University announces strategic partnership with Widnes Vikings  

Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2023

A new strategic partnership has been created between Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University and Widnes Vikings to provide transformative coaching, performance and sporting insights for both students and the club.

The University and the team have joined forces to provide real-world learning experiences within an elite sporting environment for students, as well as enhance the club’s insights in a number of areas, including performance analysis, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, training methodologies and sports rehabilitation.

Julian Ferrari, Senior Lecturer in Performance Analysis at Wrexham University, said: “This new partnership is a fantastic development for us here at the University. It provides enormous opportunities for our students to gain experience of working in an environment, which replicates what they want to do when they finish their studies.

“It will give students that coveted elite sport experience through specialist skills such as analysis, strength and conditioning, coaching and so much more.”

Dr Simon Stewart, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Life Sciences at Wrexham University, said: “Our Sports Science department and Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club are united in a shared commitment to elevate performance, optimise training methodologies, and cultivate the holistic development of players.

“By unlocking athletic potential through the synergy of academia and athleticism, we are committed to shaping champions.

“Through research, innovation, and dedication, we will push the limits of performance, fostering a legacy of excellence between the University and the Widnes Vikings.”

Chris Hamilton, Head of Operations at Widnes Vikings, added: “We are delighted to have partnered up with Wrexham University’s Sports Science department. This partnership is going to give us that professional advantage over other clubs, through utilising the University’s expertise and resources.

“In particular, this collaborative way of working will see us make strides in relation to performance analysis, strength and conditioning, physio, as well as sports rehabilitation.

“We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity – and are hugely excited at the prospect of working closely with students and lecturers. We are confident that the institution will also gain a great deal out of this working relationship too.”