Widnes Vikings back in training ahead of Super League return

[josie andrews]

WIDNES Vikings are back in training ahead of their eagerly-awaited return to Super League in 2012.
With the start of the new season less than four months away, newly appointed strength and conditioning coach Clive Brewer has begun putting the new-look squad through their paces this week.
The Vikings have been out of full-time competition for the last six years and Brewer – who has more than 15 years of experience at developing elite athletes – has been tasked with getting the squad in peak physical condition, as the club completes its transition from a part-time operation.
The team will be training six days a week for the next month, completing strength, fitness, technical and dietary assessments.

Prolific transfer activity has seen 13 new faces arrive through the Stobart Stadium doors since the club was awarded a Super League licence in March.
Coach Denis Betts has also retained the services of 11 players from last year’s squad and is thought to be looking to add another prop and centre in the coming weeks.
After his first training session on Monday, new signing Ben Davies tweeted: “Good to be back at training. Super professional now and everything is looking good.”
Meanwhile, the club’s director of marketing Brian O’Connor has revealed more than 3,750 fans have now signed up to the Vikings Stronghold.
He said: “We are still quite a way short of where we would like to be but with three and a half months to go before the start of the season, this is the most season ticket holders the club has ever had. There are more than double signed up already than we had at the start of last season.
"We set ourselves an ambitious target of reaching 7,000, but hopefully with the signings we have made and the squad now back in training, the Super League dream will become more real for fans that have held back so far.
“There is an exciting buzz around the place, with the new blend of proven Super League stars and exciting youth talent from the Widnes area. , this is a really exciting time for all Vikings fans.
“Denis and Paul (Cullen) are looking to make additions to the squad but that can only happen with the backing of fans.”
The Vikings’ new home shirt is set to be revealed later this month and will go on sale in time for Christmas. All existing Stronghold members will have their names printed on the club’s new away shirt, which will go on sale in January.

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