Veteran Rugby League Star Denis Betts Embraces New Challenge as Wigan Warriors Women’s Head Coach
With a glittering playing career that saw him lift every trophy on offer with the legendary Wigan Warriors, Denis Betts is no stranger to success. However, the former Great Britain international faced a different kind of challenge when he took on the role of head coach for the Wigan Warriors women’s team.
As a skilled and fiercely competitive second-rower, Betts was one of the best players of his generation, winning six league titles, seven Challenge Cups, three Premierships and two World Club Challenges during his 367 appearances in the famous cherry and white of Wigan. Now, the 54-year-old is drawing on that wealth of experience to guide the Warriors’ women’s team to glory in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
“Wigan means everything to me,” says Betts, a father of five daughters. “Without rugby league in general and Wigan especially, I wouldn’t have achieved anything in my life.”
After hanging up his boots, Betts moved into coaching, serving as Wigan’s caretaker coach and enjoying success in rugby union with Gloucester before returning to the 13-a-side code.
Embracing the Challenge of Women’s Rugby League
Betts’ appointment as the women’s head coach was driven by Wigan’s desire to develop the women’s game and challenge the likes of St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and York Valkyrie for silverware.
“I’m energised by the challenge, by the girls and by the Women’s Super League competition – and what it could be,” he explains. “To get excited about a project you have to see potential in it and I certainly do here with Wigan’s women’s team.”
The new Wigan ownership, led by billionaire Mike Danson, is keen to promote rugby league in all aspects of the club, including the women’s, wheelchair and PDRL teams. Betts is relishing the opportunity to help level the playing field and provide the same level of support and facilities for the women’s team as the men’s side.
“As a coach, it challenges me on lots of different levels because I’ve not coached women before, at this level and women in rugby league,” says Betts. “But knowing the game, knowing people and how to structure things, knowing how to motivate, create good habits and knowing how to put a plan into place – they’re all things that are helping me.”
Exciting Times Ahead for Wigan Warriors
With the Wigan men’s team seeking to build on last season’s Super League title and World Club Challenge success, it’s an exciting time to be part of the Warriors. And on April 19, history will be made as the women’s team play at the DW Stadium for the very first time, taking on Barrow Raiders Ladies in the opening round of the 2024 Betfred Women’s Super League.
“Kris Radlinski has got massive ambition and is driven to put the club and the sport in the limelight and at the forefront of everyone’s mind,” says Betts. “What Wigan want to do is to be the market leaders. There are a lot of ambitious, driven people at Wigan who love the game, love the club and want to see it prosper. With the women’s team, we’re determined to play our part.”
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