Denis Betts takes over from Kris Ratcliffe as Wigan Warriors Women’s Head Coach
Wigan Warriors Women announced their change in Head Coach as Kris Ratcliffe made way for Denis Betts.
Wigan Warriors announced Kris Ratcliffe’s replacement in Denis Betts, who will head coach the women’s team for the 2024 and 2025.
Betts, a former Wigan and Auckland Warriors second-rower, won 7 Challenge Cups, 3 Premierships and 2 World Club Challenges as well as gaining international honours for Great Britain.
He first started his coaching career with Wigan at the end of 2001 as thier U18s coach. He then later progressed to the U21 coaching role, winning the U21 Grand Final in 2003.
Betts was appointed first team assistant coach the same year, acting under Mike Gregory. He would take temporary charge following Gregory’s absence, though was not offered a permanent head role and left in 2005.
He spent the next 4 years with rugby union side Gloucester, then returned to league in 2010 to lead Widnes Vikings in the Championship, promoting them to the 2012 Super League.
After 8 years, Betts departed and hadn't held a coaching role, up until now.
Betts will see charge of the 2018 Women’s Super League Champions over the next 2 seasons.
Wigan went through a mixed 2023; they had made it into the Nines Finals, losing to Leeds, and both Challenge Cup and Super League semi-finals.
On his appointment, Betts offered: “This is great challenge and I’m excited to be able to get back on the field and coach.
“The Women’s Super League has got a great future, and I am getting the chance to coach at a time when the game has great growth around it and has some fantastic athletics involved.
“To be involved with Wigan again is an amazing opportunity, and to be involved at a time when there are such brilliant opportunities with the new vision and investment is something I’m really looking forward to.”
Wayne Joyce, Chief Operating Officer, said: “The appointment of Denis as Women’s Team Head Coach is a very significant development that demonstrates the Club’s ambition to be the leader in Women & Girls rugby league.
“We have committed significant further investment into the team and supporting structures for 2024 and the appointment of Denis is the first step in a number of exciting developments that we have in place for next season.”