Hampo returns
Wigan legend Steve Hampson has returned to the club as part of Michael Maguire's coaching team.
Warriors have completed their coaching staff for 2010 with the appointment of four coaches – two each for the Under-18s and Under-20s.
Former Great Britain full-back Hampson will assist the Under-18s this season, with the other three coaches plucked from the area's thriving
amateur rugby league scene.
Darren Fletcher will take charge of the Under-20s – which has replaced the reserve team – with Matty Peet as his assistant.
Peter Williams will lead the Under-18s and be helped by Hampson, who scored 319 points for Wigan during a glittering nine-years with the Cherry and Whites in the 1980s and early 90s.
Chairman Ian Lenagan said: "These additions go to show the quality of personnel on our doorstep and are further
confirmation of the strong links we have with the amateur teams in the Wigan area.
"Michael Maguire has been keen to promote promising young coaches within the area."
The Evening Post revealed earlier this month that John Pendlebury – Wigan's academy coach last year – had followed Australian Phil Veivers
through the exit door.
Wigan are looking to crank up the production line of homegrown talent and Maguire says the new men will play vital roles.
He said: "These are important positions within our backroom as we looks to continue the progression of young quality players through the ranks.
"I have worked closely with Shaun Wane over the last couple of months on these positions and am confident that we have an excellent team in place."
Fletcher, a former British wrestling champion, has coached rugby for 12 years starting with representative schoolboy sides before moving to the National Conference Premier League side Wigan St Patrick's.
He also coached at county level and the Great Britain Community Lions and was recently the manager of Warriors' Playing for Success education scheme.
He replaces Wane, who won the Grand Final with the reserves last season before stepping up to become Maguire's assistant.
Ex-Leigh Centurions player Peet has coached several Wigan and Leigh Service Area teams and has worked with Warriors' Scholarship players for the last 18 months.
He's had coaching experience at Wigan St Pat's, where he also played, and has worked with the Wigan and Leigh Service Area for the last three years.
He will be assisted by Hampson, whose return will delight fans who remember him from his playing days.
Hampson was a real crowd-pleaser at Central Park but was offloaded in 1992, just before he was due a testimonial.
He later worked as a fitness conditioner for Sale Sharks, cricketer Andrew Flintoff and golfer Darren Clarke, and made a brief return to rugby league as a member of Tony Smith's Great Britain coaching staff for the series against New Zealand in 2007.
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Weather for Wigan
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -5 C to 0 C
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