Ade Gardner leaves St Helens for Warrington

Ade Gardner has left St Helens and has taken on the role of head of performance at Warrington.

The 35-year-old joins the Wolves on a two-year contract from his previous position as assistant strength and conditioner at Saints.

Gardner enjoyed a 13-year playing career, making over 300 appearances in Super League and Challenge Cup. He also earned 10 caps for England and Great Britain.

On joining Warrington, Gardner commented: “Everything that Warrington offers is really innovative.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the staff at the club, they are very organised and professional. If you want to stay ahead of the curve you have to put that investment into the playing squad and the facilities which they have done. Knowing the performance staff has such a good reputation with Jon Clarke outgoing and knowing how much time he’s invested into improving the department I saw this as a really good opportunity for me to progress my career, from being an assistant at Saints coming into a top-notch high-performance environment here at Warrington that rivals anywhere in Super League, it was too much to turn down.

“I will be looking to continue the good work that’s already been done over the last couple of years. From my perspective having been at Saints and having had a Rugby League playing career before that I will continue to be hard working, putting a lot of effort into the boys and continuing the work already in place.

“I feel prepared as Warrington have an outstanding squad to work with, some fantastic athletes and a great coaching staff who have had a lot of success this year and we hope to take it one step further next year.”

Wolves’ head coach Steve Price added: “Ade had a distinguished playing career and he’s been involved in a system that has performed outstandingly well.

“St Helens have been up there as one of the best in the league in terms of their conditioning, speed and dynamism. He knows about winning trophies. He comes from a hard-working background in Barrow and has invested in himself heavily since finishing playing.

“He went over to America, self-funded, to do CPD work with some renowned strength and conditioning coaches over in the States. He is highly rated within the St Helens camp; is young, ambitious and bright.

“He will be a great fit and acquisition for our club.”