Widnes Vikings confirm new assistant coaches

Widnes Vikings announced yesterday (January 31st) that assistant coach and performance manager, Ryan O’Brien, was leaving the Championship side for an unnamed Super League club.

John Kear and the bosses at Widnes have been quick to fill the vacancy though with the addition of two assistant coaches and a further team manager as well.

Widnes announced the appointments via their website.

Mike Grady, Neil Belshaw and Liam Clark will all step into new roles at the club with the latter two simply transitioning into new roles.

Grady is therefore the only ‘outside hire’, however he formerly was involved in the Vikings’ scholarship set-up hence the club are welcoming him back.

Most recently the assistant coach at Rochdale Hornets, Grady brings plenty of experience to his home-town club with the club site highlighting the Board of Director’s delight at the appointment.

“The Board of Directors are pleased that John Kear has been able to attract a proactive, diligent and enthusiastic coach to his team,” the statement read.

Belshaw isn’t new to the club but has instead been a volunteer for over 10 years having helped out with the club since 2012, coaching in the academy and then later volunteering in a variety of roles.

The last appointment sees Liam Clark become Team Manager, a shift from his work with the foundation to a more logistical role.

Widnes kick their season off with a trip to the LNER Stadium to face York Knights on Sunday as they bid to return to Super League for the first time since the 2018 season.