Wigan Warriors have announced that head coach Shaun Wane and captain Sean O’Loughlin have both signed new three year deals.
Wane, who also played for Wigan between 1981 and 1990 made over 150 appearances for his hometown Club and was appointed Head Coach for 2012, when he guided the Club to the League Leader’s Shield in his first season in charge. In 2013 he won the double as his team won the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford and the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley and he has steered the Warriors back to Old Trafford for tomorrow’s Grand Final with St Helens.
O’Loughlin made his debut for Wigan in April 2002, following in the footsteps of his Father Keiron and Uncle Kevin. He has since gone on to make 342 appearances for the Cherry and Whites and holds heritage number 947. A member of the Super League Dream Team for the last five years, Sean was also recently named Captain of the England National Team.
Speaking about the new deals, Chairman, Ian Lenagan said: “The contract extensions of Shaun and Sean are very important to the Wigan Club. It is very symbolic that we have jointly announced these deals as it is very evident that they work very well together. There is a lot of trust between them and we couldn’t have two more committed people in the key positions of Head Coach and Captain of Wigan.
“Shaun Wane has earned his extension on the back of the 2013 Super League and Challenge Cup double and now leading his team to the 2014 Grand Final. Anyone who saw the recent World Club Challenge documentary will see the passion that he carries into his role and will understand why we have extended his contract for a minimum of three years and rolling thereafter.
“In Sean O’Loughlin, we are lucky to have one of the world’s most respected Rugby League players. He is still producing high level performances and we are confident that he can continue this is the coming years. The recent announcement of him becoming England Captain is a reward for having a career of consistency and quality. He is a fine role model and we are proud that he leads us.”
Wane admitted he was delighted to sign a new deal, saying there is still plenty he wants to achieve at the club in the coming years.
“I am really pleased to sign an extension to my present contract with my hometown club. I am very happy here, working with a group of people whose desire to win and improve completely matches mine.
“There is still a lot I want to achieve at Wigan and I will always be totally committed to achieving those goals. I would like to thank everyone involved at the Club; the players, all the staff and in particular Ian Lenagan for their continued support.”
O’Loughlin said: “I am delighted to have extended my stay with Wigan. The Club has been my life. I have been through some tough times but it has all been worth it to experience the great times that the Club is now enjoying. I love working with this group of players and coaching staff and I am confident that the Club will continue to grow and improve. I still have a lot of personal ambition and I am as hungry as ever to win more trophies with this great Club, before moving on to my agreed coaching position at Wigan.”
