Experience at the helm

Photo: Darren Robinson

SAINTS’s players were put through their paces at the Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre by new coaching team Sean Whitehead and Paul Ashton.

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Rugby League: SEAN Whitehead and Paul Ashton have joined forces to form a coaching duo at Oldham St Anne’s next season.

The pair, who boast a wealth of experience at amateur and pro level, take over from outgoing coach Mick Worrall.

This is the first step into open-age coaching for Whitehead (49), who won many honours as a player.

For Ashton (35), it represents a return to the fray after working with Emmerson Jackman at Saddleworth Rangers and Higginshaw.

“I have never coached open age before and I quite fancied it,” said Whitehead, a former director at Oldham RLFC.

“I approached Paul Ashton, who did a cracking job at Oldham, knowing he was looking to get back into it and he agreed to join me.”

The initial reaction to the dual appointment has been favourable at Higginshaw Road, with plenty of players turning up for early training sessions.

“The positive thing about St Anne’s is that there is a conveyor belt of talent there coming through the age groups,” said Ashton. “The key for us is keeping hold of them and making them want to stay with us.”

Saints currently have their sights on landing a few experienced players as they set about getting straight back from the Division Three of the National Conference League.

The bulk of the squad will be made up of players who have recently made their way through the ranks.

“It will be a young side, there are no two ways about that,” Whitehead added. “But we have at the club a very good young set of lads and it is our job to mould a successful team.”

Whitehead and Ashton’s first test will be a Standard Cup tie away to Folly Lane.