It was a celebration of an outstanding year for the 2025 Champion Academy team and the Reserve team Grand Finalists. The winners of the main awards were chosen by the Pathways coaching staff.

Sincere thanks to the families of Joyce Woods, Pauline Nelson and Bob Brough who presented the trophies and to Mayor Cllr Mo Hussain for being a special guest and for helping with the raffle.

28 players have represented our Academy this year in their table-topping, unbeaten 12 match regular season. They then went on to beat Wigan at Victoria Park in the semi-final, and then Leeds in the Grand Final in what was a very special day at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

37 different players have turned out for our reserves this year. Played 12, won 10, and lost two which resulted in a top-two finish and Grand Final appearance against Leeds Rhinos at Headingley. Unfortunately, we narrowly lost that one 8-0.

Whilst it has been a successful year on the pitch for our youth grades, the biggest marker of our success are the players who go on to represent our first team. In 2025, 20 homegrown players have represented our club at Super League level this year, with five Pathway graduates making their competitive first team debuts:

– James Duffy

– Zack Gardner

– Ewan Irwin

– Tom McKinney

– Ewan Smith

Awards:-

The Squadbuilder Joyce Woods Memorial Trophy for the Reserve Team player of the Year – Ewan Smith

The Squadbuilder Pauline Nelson Memorial Trophy for the Academy Player of the Year – Ewan Irwin

The Squadbuilder Reserve Team Player’s Player of the Year – Ewan Smith

The Bob Brough Memorial Trophy for the Academy Player’s Player of the Year – Ewan Irwin

The Squadbuilder Reserve and Academy Made of Wire Award – Daniel Regan

Our Lancashire and Yorkshire Origin team representatives were also presented with a memento of their honours.

– Daniel Coop – Lancashire

– Daniel Hackney – Lancashire

– Flynn Holden – Lancashire

– Isaac Holdsworth – Yorkshire

– Ewan Irwin – Lancashire

– Oliver Morgan – Lancashire

– Jake Ramsden – Lancashire

– Daniel Regan – Lancashire

– Kian Stanton – Lancashire

– Charlie Walker – Lancashire

– Lachlan Webster – Lancashire

It is with much sadness we said goodbye to several players who have played with distinction. Director of Rugby Gary Chambers presented the players with a memento of their time at the club. We send our very best wishes to them all for the future on their rugby league Pathway.

– Lewis Barratt

– Joe Hickey

– Kaden Johnson

– Oliver Morgan

– Jake Nottingham

– Jake Ramsden

– Frank Sergent

– Junior Westwood

Finally Squadbuilder presented a special trophy to the coaching staff as a tribute the to 2025 Academy Champions.

Sincere thanks to all the 2025 player and kit sponsors and to everyone who has supported the 2025 Player Pathway programme.

Photos courtesy of Kyle Webster