{"id":488157,"date":"2025-10-10T11:05:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T11:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/488157\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T11:05:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T11:05:20","slug":"wakefield-trinity-land-best-in-the-business-leeds-rhinos-pair-in-huge-coaching-coup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/488157\/","title":{"rendered":"Wakefield Trinity land ‘best in the business’ Leeds Rhinos pair in huge coaching coup"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Wakefield Trinity<\/a> have been strengthening plenty in recent years and they\u2019ve landed another huge coup by announcing that two Leeds Rhinos coaches have joined on at Belle Vue.<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Bastian and Simon Bell, two highly-respected figures, have left Leeds Rhinos and signed to work with Wakefield Trinity as Daryl Powell\u2019s side look to develop their youth department.<\/p>\n

Bastian and Bell have been responsible for overseeing an impressive operation at Leeds Rhinos with Bastian in particular noted as one of the very best at helping to develop players.<\/p>\n

He has signed as Wakefield\u2019s new Head of Youth, whilst Bell has taken on the role of Head of Talent, Recruitment and Operations, a role that will see him work in and around the region with community clubs and schools to identify and then support players.<\/p>\n

Trinity, who finished sixth in their first season back in Super League<\/a>, have a number of young players on their books who have impressed but the amount of talent that Wakefield can produce will surely only increase given these additions.<\/p>\n

Leeds Rhinos pair make switch to Wakefield Trinity<\/p>\n

Bell and Bastian\u2019s arrivals were announced by Wakefield via their social channels and with a statement that confirmed the pair\u2019s roles: \u201cWakefield Trinity are thrilled to announce two exciting new additions to our Youth department, with John Bastian joining as Head of Youth and Simon Bell taking on the role of Head of Talent, Recruitment & Operations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trinity claimed that it was \u201canother big step forwards in strengthening our player pathway and building for the future\u201d with the credentials of both men noted with Bastian\u2019s long list of clubs noted, as well as Bell\u2019s 20 year stint with Leeds Rhinos.<\/p>\n

Speaking on his new role, Bastian said: \u201cI want to say a big thank you to Wakefield Trinity for giving us this opportunity. When we got the option to come I didn\u2019t hesitate in accepting the role. Our goal is to make a huge difference here at the club when it comes to Youth Development.\u201d<\/p>\n

After thanking the Ellis family, Bell added: \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to be a part of this club with what is currently going on at the club with everything building. I know myself and John are looking forward to getting started and are going to work our damnedest to make sure Wakefield Trinity have a bright future with Youth players coming through into the First Team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Director of Rugby Ste Mills had his say, labelling the pair as the \u2018best in the business at youth identification and development\u2019.<\/p>\n

Mills said: \u201cWe\u2019re building something long-term here at Wakefield Trinity and investing in Youth Development is a big part of that. Having John and Simon in the club now give these young talented players the best support and opportunity to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our\u00a0YouTube channel here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We\u2019re proud to confirm that John Bastian and Simon Bell have joined the club to head up our Youth Team!!<\/p>\n

Both join with an impressive track record of identifying and developing young players into Super League\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/ajeo0qYVco<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) October 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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