Serious business in new Giants session
Huddersfield Giants’ Jake Mamo is one of the players off and running on the business front. Below: Club ambassador Eorl Crabtree
“This business training session has come about as we thought it would be good to get Eorl some business training after coming straight out of professional rugby into business,” said Watson.
“This led me to asking our major partners if they would do the training for us rather than sending Eorl off to University on a business course, which would be a big task, hours and commitment wise.
“Arnold Clark have very kindly delivered the first one and it was a great experience.”
Arnold Clark was losing money three years ago but is now making serious profit, and Aldren has been on the inside as they’ve turned their fortunes aroun
“Brian Blacker and I were also there as you can always learn something new,” added Watson.
“Some of the first-team players also decided to come and take part because they’ve been thinking about their future career once they have retired from playing rugby.”
Aldren, who has been following he Giants for 12 years, will continue to work closely with the club’s commercial team.
“The first part of the agenda is going to be a Huddersfield Giants SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and improve the Commercial team as a business,” said Aldren.
“I think the playing team is going through a lot of changes but it is beginning to click and the future is bright there, but we can improve on the commercial side and that’s something we intend to do.”
Crabtree added: “Getting to see a business model that has been so successful and how to turn around a deficit was very beneficial.
“I also thought it was good to focus on attitude, and I love the fact that some of the first-team players really bought into that and thought about their life after a career in rugby.
“Also to realise they have to learn a few bits to ensure they are as successful when they go into another line of work after rugby was good to see.
“James has given us lots of things to contemplate and a lot of new knowledge to apply.” SAM TOMKINS insists you cannot have too much of a good thing as he aims to preserve his 100 per cent record in finals.
Victorious in Wigan’s visits to Wembley in 2011 and 2013 and in two of their Grand Final triumphs, Tomkins is something of a lucky charm, the Warriors’ two recent Old Trafford defeats coming during his stint in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors.
“That’s why you play the game, you want to play on the big stage,” he said. “It’s what every rugby league player has in common.
“I’ve been very lucky, I’ve played in four finals for Wigan and won four but the Challenge Cup is special. I’ve enjoyed winning it twice and I want to win it again. Wembley ticks all the boxes. You never get bored of it”