Widnes Vikings are pleased to announce that yet another of its existing partners is extending their relationship with the club. Warrington-based recruitment consultants DATS, have signed an agreement which will see them remain as the clubs ‘Official Youth and Academy Partner' for the 2013 season.

From day one, the Vikings / DATS partnership has grown from strength to strength and is already playing its part toward the retention of a number of quality youngsters at the club.

With the aid of DATS financial support in 2012 the Vikings’ U15s and U16s Scholarship squads spent a tough two days at a training camp in Coniston amid the picturesque backdrop of the Lake District.

It was an experience that certainly had an effect on U16s captain Ellis Sant, who admits it played a pivotal part of his desire to become a full time professional, stating: “Coniston was like being a full-time player and physical challenges like ‘The Green Mile’ and ‘Road To Nowhere,’ as well as the other team-building activities which included ‘Gorge Walking’ made me want to experience this lifestyle as my actual profession.”

Ellis wasn’t alone in his thinking, as a further seven of the players involved in the trip have now also gone on to sign professional forms with the Vikings, much to the delight of the clubs Head of Youth Performance Phil Finney, who said: “It is great news that we will be receiving continued support from DATS, who have enabled us to create opportunities that will help to develop first team players of the future.

“Being aligned to an organisation such as DATS complements our holistic player development philosophy that encompasses life skills and careers outside of Rugby League.”

DATS Recruitment Consultants have been recruiting since 1959, providing quality personnel throughout the UK.

The company is rightly proud of the reputation it has earned for providing an excellent service and successfully matching people and skills with the right roles and within the time frames agreed with its clients.

Steve Nickson, Chief Executive of DATS explains the reasoning behind the continuation of their relationship with the Vikings: “We’ve been a supporter of Widnes Vikings for a number of years now and are proud to continue that support for another year with the youth teams.

“DATS are dedicated Rugby League followers and this sponsorship fits with our enjoyment of the sport and our philosophy to support the future workforce.”

For more information on DATS, visit their website: www.datsjobs.co.uk