Culture the key for Bibby and Wigan

2021 was a tough season for Wigan Warriors. Despite their fourth place finish, the club stuttered into the Play-offs and exited the knock-out stage of the competition at the first hurdle.

They played more matches than any other side in Betfred Super League last year - a season littered with disruptions and a packed playing schedule certainly took its toll on the Wigan club. But not Jake Bibby. He played in every minute of every Super League game for the Warriors in 2021 – starring in all 25 regular season matches, as well as their solitary Play-off fixture.

He quickly became Wigan's Mr. Consistent, reliable whenever he took the field. Bibby featured both on the wing and in the centres and was one of the few constant figures during a season full of inconsistency for the Warriors.

Mr reliable ??

Jake Bibby has played more minutes than any other player in Betfred Super League this year 💪

He's been ever-present during @WiganWarriorsRL's 2??⃣5??⃣ regular season games 🔥#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/2ixysyfXY3
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 20, 2021

Bibby himself couldn’t quite believe he managed to feature in every minute of action last year – especially given the Warriors’ Grand Final finish in 2020 and the array of talent across the Wigan backline.

“Personally, I would never have thought I’d play every minute of every single game,?? Bibby admitted.

 “I think going into that season [2021] and off the back of the Grand Final [in 2020] there was some tough competition for places – as it always is at Wigan with all the youngsters coming through - so for me as whole it was a positive [to play all games].

“But still, looking back on the season, we obviously weren’t happy. Going into 2022 we’ve forgot about all that now – it’s all about the team and the culture we’re building so it’s hopefully going to be a good year.??

That culture is being meticulously engrained throughout the Wigan club – new head coach Matt Peet has centred the Warriors off-season around the development of the squads culture. A culture which is inclusive of the community around them, as well as a tight-nit, team-first mentality within the playing group.

Part of that process has involved the Wigan squad working closely within the local community – attending rugby camps, community groups and schools in a bid to inspire the next generation of youngsters.

Bibby understands the importance of the community engagement that the players have been encouraged to do, acknowledging the intangible impact the squad can have on the wider community and their influence as positive role models in the town.

“As a lad from Wigan myself, I think it’s really important. We’ve done quite a lot now within the community [during the off-season].

“When I was younger, going to these camps and seeing players coming to your schools was so influential. I remember going to camps here when players like Sam Tomkins came along – that made me want to go pro and be a Wigan player.

“Having us players coming down is only going to help the future of Wigan and help build the club. I feel like there’s some good young kids coming through and it’s only going to benefit us having future generations of homegrown Wigan talent coming through the team.??

????? ???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????

🤲 @WiganWarriorsCF and the first team playing squad are heading out in person into the community for #WarriorsUnite!

The programme aims to reach out to children and adults and unite the town by delivery sessions for people of all ages.#WWRL pic.twitter.com/leKoyS7BcP
— Wigan Warriors ???⚪?? (@WiganWarriorsRL) November 23, 2021

That long-term vision - centred around developing the sport across the town - is an integral part of the Warriors strategy. They are building for the future with a key focus on embedding a strong, positive culture within the club.

And after a tumultuous couple of years which afforded little opportunity for young people to play the sport and attend live matches, this off-season has been a chance to re-engage with the local community and help put the Warriors back on the map.

“With the past two years especially, everyone has missed out on a chance to develop. Kids at school have missed out – so with us going into schools now, that’s hopefully going to help.

“Kids may have forgotten about the rugby side of things and gone on to do something else whilst everyone’s been inside, so hopefully doing more activities with them is going to help draw them back into rugby.??

Despite being in charge for just a few months, Warriors head coach Matt Peet is already leaving his mark on the town and the playing group.  A well-respected figure at the club who has worked his way through the Wigan ranks, Peet's team-first ethos and focus on culture around the club have been well received by players new and old.

A new addition to Robin Park Arena, featuring all of our community ambassador clubs and a quote from Head Coach Matt Peet 🤩

Community clubs are the life blood of our sport ?????#WWRL pic.twitter.com/PEXuY6H0yn
— Wigan Warriors ???⚪?? (@WiganWarriorsRL) December 9, 2021

"There’s been a real buy in. Matt's brought in that team first mentality which I’ve always been about," emphasised Bibby.

"I think with his mentality around the culture and homegrown environment and everyone being as one, it’s going to benefit everyone moving forward. There’s been nothing that’s worried us. 

"All the people the club has brought in have been the right people for us – everyone’s on the same page, putting the team first and building a good culture. It’s really good."

The Warriors first real test will arrive in Round one when they travel to Hull KR for the opening round in 2022. The Robins beat Wigan twice last year and will look to push on after their emphatic season last year. 

Bibby and his Wigan teammates will be desperate to start the season well when they go up against Tony Smith's Hull KR side on Friday 11 February - and you can watch all the action unfold live on Sky Sports.