Orr to assist Cas academy

Castleford Tigers are delighted to announce that returning player Danny Orr will combine his duties on the pitch with assisting the coaching of the club’s under 18s in 2011.
 
A former Tigers academy player himself, Danny, 32, will join new under 18s head coach Richard Tunningley and fellow assistant Steve Ellerker in mentoring the club’s young players.
 
Head of youth development Steve Gill explains:
 
“Following last week’s announcement that Gary Thornton and his assistant Gary Barnett will continue to head up our under 20s side, we are delighted that Danny, Richard and Steve have agreed to become our coaching team for the under 18s next season.
 
“Danny’s involvement will be especially important for the quality young half backs at the club. His experience is going to be a big bonus for their development.
 
“Richard, in his full time role of player performance manager, will be working on the clubs AASE player development programme through the day, so it seemed a natural progression for him to take overall control of this age group.
 
“From his time as player performance manager over at Wakefield and in his continued role as England Academy Team Manager, Richard has a wealth of experience in developing players at this age group. He is the right man to develop and mould our young guys into the next batch of Super League players.”
 
“Steve Ellerker meanwhile has done a sterling job with this age group through their scholarship development and deserves this chance to coach at a higher age group.”
 
This announcement follows the news that outgoing under 18s head coach Richard Pell and his assistant Tim Rumford are to take over the coaching reigns of Co-operative Championship One side Gateshead Thunder next season.
 
Steve continued: “I would also like to thank Richard and Tim for their part in the club’s junior development over the past few years. They both leave for Gateshead on good terms and we wish them every success with their new venture.”