The Salford Red Devils U19 Category Three Academy have enrolled over thirty new students for the upcoming season.
This is an increase on last season’s numbers and all students were introduced to Salford Red Devils by meeting Head Coach Ian Watson, Director of Rugby and Operations Ian Blease and First Team Captain Lee Mossop.
Danny Barton, Salford Red Devils Academy Player Performance Manager, said: “It’s fantastic we’ve had such an appetite for the course and for people wanting to come and play Rugby League here at Salford.
“I felt it was important that they met the likes of Ian Watson, Ian Blease and Lee Mossop so they could get a feel of what representing this Club is all about and what is expected of them.
“I’ve been really impressed with the attitude of each student that has enrolled already and everyone seems to be looking forward to the season ahead.”
Head Coach Ian Watson said: “It’s important that we have a strong academy set-up to help us spot potential in the local area and further afield who could eventually run out for the Salford Red Devils first team.”
The team recently went to Prestatyn for a pre-season training camp – lasting a full weekend- which saw their fitness, skills and teamwork tested.
Barton said: “The pre-season training camp is the perfect opportunity for me as a Coach to look at what I’ve got at my disposal for the upcoming season.
“But, it’s also the perfect opportunity for the lads to bond as a team and begin to get to know each other more and start to the processes of becoming an actual team.
“I put the lads through their paces in Wales and the response from the lads was fantastic. They all knuckled down, worked hard with no complaints and really impressed me.
“We look like we’ve got some really talented players in the squad and I’m looking forward to seeing them develop here at Salford Red Devils.”
Since returning the Academy have been continuing to work hard with their first gym session of the year being hosted by Salford Red Devils partners at the The Salford Stadium – MultiFit Salford.
“It was good to get the lads in the gym and get them working on their strength heading into the season,” Barton said.
He added: “We’d like to thank Multifit for allowing us to use their fantastic facilities and the lads are looking forward to regularly heading into the gym throughout the season.”
