Hetherington and Walker join backroom staff to aid Widnes’ seconds
WHILST the first-team coaches and playing staff are busy preparing for the new season, Widnes’s seconds have again moved quickly with some further changes to their coaching structure as they look to hit the ground running following their promotion this season into Division Two South.
They have announced that the experienced Jon Hetherington will be joining the second XV as an assistant coach, whilst Sam Walker has also joined in the new role of stats man.
The seconds, jointly-run by Dan Newall and Andy Eyres, are delighted to have added the final two members of their backroom staff ahead of the new season which also includes assistant coach Josh Cosgrove.
Hetherington, a former Colts Lancashire Cup winner under Paul Newall, was the club’s vice-captain last season before his playing days were sadly cut short due to a series of serious injuries.
Hetherington is already looking forward to the new campaign.
He said: “When Andy asked me if I would be interested in helping him out I asked him to let me think about it, but I wasn’t kidding anyone; I was always going to get involved.
“The opportunity to help coach my mates and the next generation of first-team players wasn’t something I was going to let pass me by.
“The nucleus of the team that won the league last year are still around, and we are all looking to kick-on and develop.
“Who could say no to that kind of opportunity?’’
Walker comes on board with a great deal of coaching experience at junior level with West Bank Bears and is a former Oldham RLFC community coach.
Newall said: “Sam’s contribution will be crucial for us this year as we step up our efforts both on and off the field. Having a coach solely focused on the stats will help us analyse the action fully during and after the game.”
The second-team will return to action for a pre-season derby game against Eagle at Heath Road on August 12 with a 3pm kick-off. ●