Woodman, who will join the Club later this month signing a two year contract, said on the appointment, "I am really looking forward to coming back to the UK and taking on a role with a Club that stands as one of the most successful in English rugby. Wasps have an unbeatable record in the game with an honours list that can rival any other Premiership Club and over the years they have produced some of the games most exciting talents.
"For me personally and professionally I am hugely excited by the challenge that lies ahead - the Club is at the beginning of it's next chapter and working alongside great coaches in Tony Hanks and Shaun Edwards you can sense the determination and the desire to make this season a success from the off - something I am delighted to have an opportunity to be a part of. Wasps have always been one of those Clubs whether as a player, coach or spectator, you had an immense amount of respect for. Taking on the role of Forwards Coach, I will have the opportunity to not only work as part of this great establishment, but also join forces with some of the most respected names in the game with the likes of Vickery and Shaw - two of my former team mates - to name but a few."
Joining Woodman, John McCloskey completes the coaching quartet taking on the role of Skills Coach. The role, newly created by Hanks, outlines the Club's commitment to development - allowing dedicated resource to the ongoing strengthening of the squad's core skills.
McCloskey, a proven coach with an impressive record in Gaelic football, helped coach Armagh to two All-Ireland Finals in 2002 and 2003, winning the first. They won four provincial titles and a National League title in that period. In 2008 he coached Derry to an NFL title. Holding an eclectic CV, which includes a period with the IRFU as a fitness advisor and a lengthy career as a primary school teacher, McCloskey has already enjoyed some time with Wasps recently on a consultancy basis last season ahead of the Heineken Cup clash with Leinster at Twickenham. Committing to the Club for two seasons, McCloskey will play a pivotal role in the pre-season programme.
"At Armagh we considered Wasps as role models because of their success, professionalism, family spirit and never say day attitude on the pitch", said McCloskey. "When the opportunity came up to join a coaching team with the likes of Tony Hanks and Shaun Edwards, it was a great privilege and an opportunity too good to turn down.
"Wasps have always been at the forefront and have a very forward thinking mentality and attitude both in the way they coach and the way the organization is run with the likes of Owner, Steve Hayes, and Chairman, Mark Rigby, and the introduction of the Skills Coach role shows that the Club want to continually look to improve, build on their success and are not afraid to add new dimensions to the way they operate. Ultimately the game of rugby comes down to decision making and execution of skill and through this role I hope that we can ensure that that execution is at its highest level. For me this is a hugely exciting challenge and one which I am delighted to take on."
With his coaching set up now secured Director of Rugby, Hanks, is pleased to have his team in place ahead of the pre-season campaign. "Taking on the Director of Rugby role my first priority was always to complete the coaching team and I think we have achieved a highly skilled and balanced set up with the addition of Trevor Woodman and John McCloskey.
"In Trevor, I am pleased we can announce such a quality Forwards Coach. He has a fantastic reputation as a player, having been part of the World Cup winning side in 2003, and as a coach I have been hugely impressed with what I have seen. He offers a nice point of difference having being involved in rugby in both hemispheres and I am really impressed that he has gone and done the hard yards, moving from the UK to start his coaching career in Australia. His ability was recognised quickly with the role of National Scrum Coach at the ARU and I believe he is going to be a great addition to our coaching team.
"The addition of John to our set up sees the introduction of a new role dedicated to the strengthening and development of our players' core skills. To have someone solely focused in this area we show a commitment to long term development and in John we have a man with a proven coaching ability and great record in Gaelic sport. His strengths around handling, aerial skills and kicking are key aspects of the modern game and I think that the appointment will be of great benefit to our squad across the board. Having worked with John last season I was very impressed with what he had to offer and I believe that his appointment will add great value to the Wasps squad in the short and long term future."
Wasps Head Coach Shaun Edwards, currently on duty with the Lions in South Africa, was also quick to praise his new colleagues reiterating the desire to get the Club back in the mix come the start of 2009/10.
"I think what you can see from these appointments is a very hungry team of coaches who are all pretty desperate to hit the ground running and get Wasps back in that top of the table mix. Trevor Woodman's appointment shows the Club's ongoing commitment to developing both English players and English coaches. As well as a hugely impressive playing career behind him he has proven his ability as a coach out in Australia and undoubtedly he will have a great impact on our younger tight five players in the scrummage. With the maul coming back into the game and his all round coaching ability, I'm sure Trevor will have a big impact on the development of our forwards next year.
"Similarly, John McCloskey is a proven winner at elite level sport winning the All-Ireland Championship and National League in Gaelic football. He is a man who loves a game of rugby and who has already had some coaching input at the Club before the Leinster game where we saw our back three players in magnificent form. I think that a big part of that was due to John helping them learn about winning the ball in the air - which is becoming more and more a part of the game and I think his arrival will be really good for the Club."
Confirmation of the coaching team comes as Wasps also reveal a further addition to their 2009/10 squad list with the arrival of England capped prop, Jason Hobson, from Bristol on a two year contract.
The 26 year old, capped by England last year on the summer tour to New Zealand, joined Bristol in 2003 from Exeter and made 62 appearances scoring 30 points for his Club. Holding honours with England U21 and England Saxons, he debuted for the senior squad against the Barbarians in 2008 before collecting his first cap against the All Blacks. A crowd favourite in the West Country, he collected Bristol's Supporters Player of the Month Award early in his debut season, however injury hindered his run of appearances with a knee and shoulder problem in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Working hard through his rehabilitation, Hobson came back to full fitness and featured regularly for the 1XV throughout 2007/08, before receiving his England call. Starting 2008/09 with a strong run of performances, he established himself in the tight head position before undergoing surgery on a disc problem in January 2009. Now back to full fitness he is ready and raring to go joining Wasps ahead of their pre-season programme.
"Wasps is a great Club and for me this is fantastic opportunity to train and play with some of the best in the business", said Hobson. "There is no denying their success over the years and having met a few of the lads and the coaches already, you can sense that all eyes are on a strong season. With Tony Hanks, Shaun Edwards and Trevor Woodman now on board for 2009/10, I am really looking forward to just getting stuck in and hopefully helping be part of what will be a great year for the Club."
Hanks added, "We are looking forward to Jason being involved in the upcoming campaign. He is a highly promising prop who despite injury struggles has still been in the mix on the international scene having been capped by England. He is a good addition to our squad and I'm sure he is looking forward to getting out there and back to pushing for higher honours once again."
As well as welcoming new members to the Wasps family, the Club will also bid farewell to Kicking Coach, Rowly Williams, who moves to pastures new after four years with the side. Continuing in his development, after helping to ensure three trophies in three seasons with Wasps, he will continue to strengthen his role with the Super League side Wigan ahead of this season's Challenge Cup Semi Final.
