KEIGHLEY Albion have announced an exclusive gym partnership with Workouts Health Club ahead of the 2021 season.

The partnership will allow all registered players in Albion's Under-16s, Girls section (ages 16-18), U18s Academy and Open Age teams to concentrate on their individual training outside of club-run sessions, to ensure they are in the best possible condition for the competitive season.

Another major benefit to the partnership is the phenomenal support and access to rugby league strength and conditioning programs, advice and training sessions.

The well-established Keighley-based Workouts Health Club is owned by current Batley Bulldogs strength and conditioner Paul Royston.

Royston has a 25-year history of working with rugby league players, having joined Keighley Cougars during ‘Cougarmania’ in 1996.

Nottingham Rugby's Toby Williams is also a member of staff at the health club, with a cross-code professional career including Cougars, Doncaster Knights, Otley and Rotherham Titans.

Both Royston and Williams have offered direct support to Albion's players, and will design individual programs to help them achieve their playing goals and ambitions, as well as providing any training and fitness advice.

On the partnership, Albion's chairman Richard Dibbin said: “We are passionate that Keighley Albion continues to act as a launchpad for aspiring young players, so they can achieve their full potential and make it to elite level.

“Seventeen players have progressed through the club and become affiliated to professional teams in just the past five seasons - including two now regularly competing in the Super League.

“We see this exciting partnership with Workouts, and particularly the access to the expertise of Paul and Toby, as a further opportunity to continue pushing our ambitious players towards the top levels.

“It also ensures our senior teams are in the best possible shape to take on the 2021 season - as we look to be extremely competitive on the field across all ages.”

Due to national lockdown restrictions, all gymnasiums and health clubs are currently closed to the public, so Albion will release more information and specific details on how to sign up for the exclusive gym package in due course.

Only registered 2021 players will be eligible.

Workouts have also offered to deliver supervised sessions for Albion's U14s and U15s, with a view to launching these once both the rugby club and the health club are back operating, with considerations to any government guidelines or restrictions.

BY ROB SPENCER