Hunslet RLFC can today announce that Head Coach Matt Bramald will leave the club following the completion of the Hawks 2016 season and upon expiry of his current contract.
The club would like to place on record our thanks to Matt who stepped into the role from assistant to Barry Eaton at short notice in late January 2016 following Eaton’s departure to Leeds Rhinos.
For the 2017 season the new Head Coach will be former Hunslet player James Coyle who recently left his position as Head Coach at Whitehaven.
Coyle was a part of our 2014 Grand Final winning squad and has extensive playing experience at Wigan Warriors & Widnes Vikings working under & alongside Denis Betts & Adrian Lam amongst other high calibre players & coaches.
Coyle will be assisted by the vastly experienced Steve Deakin, the former Whitehaven, Barrow, Huddersfield, London, Oldham, Keighley, Sheffield and Catalan Dragons reserve grade coach, who helped to produce talented players such as Morgan Escare & Eloi Pelissier.
Also assisting the coaching team will be consultant conditioner Dave Bell the former Harlequins Rugby Union & Leigh Centurions conditioner.
Chairman Neil Hampshire said “Our thanks go to Matt for all his hard work over the last 12 months and we wish him every success for the future.
“However, with the club re adopting back to our traditional name and the lion crest we wanted to take the opportunity for a fresh start as the club rebrands and begins the next chapter in its history.
“For us to be able to attract a coaching team of James’s and Steve’s undoubted ability is a real coup.
“They have bought into the vision and principles of a supporter owned club and we are convinced they are the right choice to take us forward.”
Incoming Head Coach James Coyle said:
“We are entering an exciting time for Hunslet RLFC. There are a number of changes being made including the performance staff. We as a coaching group have been given the task of making the vision of the club a reality.
“We are already working hard to ensure we give ourselves the best possible chance to achieve our internal goals. The squad has some real quality and we will be doing our best to retain the majority of the current team.
“I think our main focus will be the culture of Hunslet as a club. Our culture is the foundation on which we can build success. It is what defines us as players, coaches and club staff. I want to thank the club for the opportunity; it’s great to be back.”
Assistant Coach Steve Deakin added “ Having retired from the sport because of family circumstances almost two years ago, I now have the opportunity to return to the type of work that has brought me so much pleasure and also to assist a coach who I believe to be the brightest prospect within the game currently in the UK.
“It’s exciting to help James to take an already well established club to the next stage of development and be part of the rebrand.”
Current Assistant Coach Mark Cass will continue in his role.
