Last updated at 10:32, Saturday, 03 October 2009

Whitehaven are planning a coach trip to Leeds – to discover what makes the Rhinos one of the world’s top rugby league clubs.

Ged Stokes

A Haven contingent, led by head coach Ged Stokes, will visit Headingley in January, on the eve of the new campaign.

Stokes said: “I’m a great believer that you retain 80 per cent of what you see, and for us as coaches to look right through the Leeds programme, from scholarship to junior Academy, right up to the first-team, and how they work on a day-to-day basis, will be extremely beneficial to our club.

“You can’t do that from a book or television. You have to go to the club. As we are so isolated in this area, we can’t just go to a Super League club down the road to get that knowledge.”

Stokes believes last week’s summit between the clubs at the Recre, which focused on coaching and player development, community work and pitch improvement was hugely beneficial to Haven.

A pre-season friendly in January was also agreed, and another meeting is planned for before Christmas, when Leeds will pass on their commercial and promotional expertise.

First published at 09:10, Saturday, 03 October 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk