Wigan Warriors are gearing up for their new era with military precision after a two-day pre-season camp with the British Army this week.
Head coach Matty Peet is keen to find and develop emerging leaders within his squad after taking the reins at the end of last term.
Peet has replaced Adrian Lam as the top boss and a new-look coaching team will see him assisted by Sean O’Loughlin and Lee Briers with Shaun Wane as leadership and management director.
Peet’s men spent two days at Altcar Training Camp near Formby where they took a wide range of tasks centred on leadership and team building.
“There is the leadership aspect, but it’s also about developing strong communication skills and the skill of being a good follower as well,” Peet told Rugby League Live.
“Everyone gained the opportunity to lead in different situations but it was also about giving information and listening.
“We felt it was a great chance to get off site into a fresh environment and bring the team together.”
Peet said his troops had responded positively to the challenges they faced during the two-day stay.
“There were physical and non-physical leadership tasks,” he explained.
“Some of those related to mental aptitude tests or codebreaking, solving problems and crossing minefields.
“They were using different apparatus to solve certain problems and the physical leadership challenges such as an assault course, hostage evacuation scenario and stretcher runs.”
Peet’s men were addressed by different members of the British military, including the Gurkha Regiment, and Sergeant Rick Clement.
He served in the Duke of Lancaster’s’ Regiment for 16 years until an operational injury in Afghanistan ended his Army career.
Sergeant Clement had been flown home from Afghanistan with one leg missing from the hip, the other torn off just a little lower, and with devastating damage to his genitals and bowel.
He was given just a one in 50 chance of pulling through and Peet said Clement’s story was inspiring.
He continued: “It was inspirational and the players also did some work on the sand dunes at Formby, so they really did do a lot.
“It was basically two days and one night and we had a sit-down, silver service dinner with the British Army which involved a Fijian haka and songs.
“We have really squeezed a lot into a short space of time, so it wasn’t a case of just going there and flogging them mindlessly.
“It was about putting the players in a situation where they have to cooperate, communicate and work together.
“It’s just about fast-tracking cohesion really, so we obviously hope to reap the benefits during the season.”
