Joel Tomkins, the Wigan Warriors’ youth performance coach, will depart the team at the end of the 2024 campaign to pursue a coaching opportunity, the team can confirm.

Joel served as the head coach of the Scholarship squad and helped with the Academy before returning to Wigan earlier in the season as Youth Performance Coach. After playing 237 games for Wigan, Tomkins has received an offer to coach in the Super League, which he believes will help him advance as a coach.

The 37-year-old has been in charge of mentoring the next generation of players and imparting the knowledge he has acquired over an incredible playing career, which included a stint with the Saracens in rugby union. In this position, he has put a lot of effort into honing his coaching abilities and assisting the club’s young players in improving their abilities. The two-time Super League champion has been able to use his experience as a former Wigan youth player who advanced through the system to mentor the current generation of young warriors growing through the club’s youth system.

“Joel has made a real impact in a short space of time,” stated Kris Radlinski, the chief executive of the Wigan Warriors. He feels compelled to seize the chance that has presented itself. We send him our warmest wishes as he embarks on the next phase of his personal development.

Joel Tomkins stated: “I want to thank Matty and Kris for reintroducing me to the rugby league world. I was employed with the Greater Manchester Fire Service a year ago.” Their encouragement and belief have rekindled my love for the game and motivated me to become a coach.

“I’ve made some great relationships while working with the Wigan Warriors junior system, and I hope to run across many of the gifted athletes I’ve had the honor of working with again in the future.

After playing for the Catalans Dragons for two seasons, I know they are a great team that is working hard to succeed, and I believe I can help them reach their objectives. The Catalans Dragons provide me a great opportunity to advance my coaching career.

Joel’s contribution this season has been appreciated by the team, and they wish him luck in his new role as coach.

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