Fitness first for Wire

Shaun Reid’s Wire squad is likely to be among the fittest in Evo-Stik NPL First Division North thanks to their sponsors at Warrington Collegiate.

The players are now benefitting from state-of-the-art fitness testing equipment at the £30m LiveWire Orford Park Jubilee Hub training facility with the deal also giving students hands on work experience.

Warrington Town Chairman Gary Skentelbery hailed the news as another step in the right direction for the ambitious Wire. "We are delighted with our ongoing partnership with Warrington Collegiate. We are very much a community club and see the Collegiate as an integral part of the community," he said.

"The new fitness testing equipment will help us monitor the condition of our players and compliments the fantastic facilities we have at our disposal thanks to our community partnerships with the Collegiate and LiveWire at the new Orford Park Jubilee Hub.

"We look forward to developing the partnership and working closely with the Collegiate, ensuring we have the fittest players in the league, while at the same time providing work experience opportunities for students."

As the club’s principal sponsors the Warrington Collegiate logo appears on the front of the Wire's shirt while college courses are promoted in matchday programmes and around the ground. Students are also given free admission to all home league games as well as work experience opportunities at the Abacus Solicitors Community Stadium.

Graham Murray, Curriculum Manager for Sport at Warrington Collegiate, is delighted with the fitness partnership which benefits both his students and Reid's players.

Murray said: "With new courses and state of the art fitness testing facilities at Orford Jubilee Park the college can bring many benefits to support the players to further develop their football and match fitness.

"Our students on the new Higher Education Sports Science course will be able to work alongside the players using machines such as the Bodpod and the match analysis software to support players all year round. This will enhance their student experience and develop vital skills that will support their future employment opportunities, vital in today’s challenging climate."

Principal of Warrington Collegiate, Paul Hafren, pictured alongside Reid in the BodPod, added: "The partnership between Warrington Collegiate and Warrington Town FC is very important to us at the Collegiate.

"It brings many benefits to our students and through our fantastic fitness testing facilities at Orford Park we can do our bit for our local semi-professional football club. We wish manager Shaun Reid and Chairman Gary Skentelbery all the best for this season."