FOX MOVES TO HEAD OF ACADEMY WHILE WAINHOUSE JOINS AS HEAD OF SCHOLARSHIP

The Giants are proud to confirm a restructure within the club’s youth department that will see Steve Fox move to Head of Academy, with Jonny Wainhouse the new Head of Scholarship

The Giants are proud to confirm a restructure within the club’s youth department that will see Steve Fox move to Head of Academy, with Jonny Wainhouse the new Head of Scholarship.

Jonny has previously worked in the Academy set up at Leeds Rhinos, where he became Assistant coach at just 21. A hooker as a player, Wainhouse also came through the Academy system himself at Leeds, so knows exactly what it’ll take to make it through the scholarship system for young hopefuls coming through.

Jonny is excited to kick on at The Giants and has set out his goals and ambitions for the future.

“It’s really positive for me, It’s a good time to get involved at the club. It’s a strong foundation of people who really care passionately about the club. I know Luke Robinson from my time coaching with Yorkshire Academy, Andy Kelly is another great guy that really cares, and there’s Steve Fox. I’ve shadowed him over the last couple of weeks and I’ve been really taken aback by how professional the Scholarship is run. The blueprint is in place, and my job is to continue that great work.”

“The recruitment at the club has been second to none. There’s some talented young men and potential in the squad. I’m really looking forward to spending my time with them. I saw some of the academy lads on Saturday, who have come through the system, and that’s what needs to happen at a great club like Huddersfield. Kids need to come through the community clubs, into the scholarship and Academy, and more importantly, through to the first team. That’s for me and the rest of the staff to continue that pathway.”

Director of Rugby Andy Kelly said, 

“One of the biggest attractions to bringing Jonny Wainhouse in was that he’s previously worked with Steve Fox. They both worked at Leeds Rhinos together and worked at most of the facets of the Academy Pathway. Both have done Talent ID and both worked in Academy and supported the reserve grades. It was a position that needed a little bit of stealth, we had a role to fill and Jonny is a seamless inclusion.”

“Steve’s been brilliant since he came to the club in setting the Scholarship up. When I came to the club I wanted to take it forward, and moved it forward and started to generate some real tangible successes, but it needed to be looked at with fresh eyes and Steve did that and drove it forward further brilliantly. Steve stepping up to Academy with players he’s nurtured through scholarship gives them the trust and confidence they need. It’s a seamless transition into a position that needed to be filled.”

“The experience of Jonny, Ste and the Talent ID crew, who are absolutely outstanding at this club, will allow them to further uncover more talent.”

On his move to the Academy, Steve Fox said,

“It was hard initially. 14 years involved in the scholarship, so it’s sad to leave that behind, because I was keen to see how the season was going to start, however I’m excited for the season ahead at the Academy. Jonny is shadowing at the moment to allow for a smooth transition, but knowing him how I do, he’s very professional, so it’s going to be a real easy transition. It’s in really safe hands.”