Wigan Warriors' new fitness chief feels the need for speed - and power

Ian Bentley, who will take charge of Wigan's strength and conditioning next season, has outlined the area as a major focal point of the pre-season training.

The 36-year-old has stepped up from his academy role and replaces former player Paul Johnson, who left at the end of last season and has linked-up with Leigh.

Bentley said: "There will be a big focus on power and speed, we'll be doing additional speed work. In the gym, for example, we'll be looking at equipment which monitors bar movements across different loadings, and hopefully that transfers over to the field.

"I've spoken to Adrian (Lam) and the other coaches about the type of players they want and how they want to develop them.

"And once we've got the foundations, we want, fast, explosive-type actions which make a difference on game day."

Bentley, who has PhD in Applied BioMechanics and Performance, has left his job as an associate lecturer in sport and exercise science at the University of Central Lancashire to take on the role at Warriors.

"I've worked at Wigan for 10 years, first with the Under-16s and worked my way up," he said.

"To get the opportunity to work full-time in a high-performance environment is a dream job, and what I set out to do."

Mick Turner, with the first-team a few years ago, will return to the club to fill Bentley's old position.

Executive director Kris Radlinski added: "Ian's given up an amazing job to come and do his dream job, he’s very scientific and it’s a different direction for us.

"Mick has come back and one of his strengths is he’s a standard-driver, he will be jumping on kids who are in the wrong kit, not tidying the gym, punctuality - he’s military-driven."

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