Every one at Leeds Tykes says thank you to Wayne Proctor and wishes him good luck for his future endeavours.
Wayne arrived in Leeds around Christmas 2019 with Phil Davies. Proc immediately got to work with the then Championship squad, instilling a work ethic and mentality that he had displayed himself throughout his international playing and coaching career. The physical abilities of the squad began to improve quickly and this showed on the pitch in many areas. Most notably when the team that faced Newcastle Falcons, that season’s run-away leaders and champions, were able to stay in the fight for large parts of the game and even take the lead for a period. Unfortunately, after seven weeks under Phil and Proc, the season was cut short due to the pandemic.
Throughout the following off-season and the season that was not to be Proc made sure that the remaining squad members were physically ready at all times just in case the season was to resume. In the summer of 2021 Proc coached the Tykes through their victorious Ventur Cup run.
Proc was the one constant in the coaching team during the 2021/22 season. It was not without its challenges, especially where injuries are concerned. Proc showed his expertise at tailoring recovery and rehab sessions to make sure that injured players actually worked harder than the ‘fit’ players. He helped to return them to play in a condition that would be above the condition of players who had not been side-lined.
When Jon Callard arrived at the club Proc supported the transition and maintained the high levels of fitness throughout the squad. As many of you who come along to games will remember, Leeds Tykes were nearly always the strongest team on the pitch for the last quarter of the game. This is testament to the work Proc and the players put in.
Throughout his time at Leeds Tykes Wayne commuted to Leeds from his home in South Wales, a 5-hour, 300-mile one-way trip. This is clearly unsustainable for a prolonged period of time. At the end of last season, when the Tykes secured their place in National 1 for the 2022/23 season, Proc announced that he would be stepping away from his role at the club.
Again, from everyone at Leeds Tykes, we want to thank Proc for stepping in when the club was in one of its darkest hours. He has left the club in a far better place than when he joined.
