All Golds captain pens new deal

Gloucestershire All Golds captain and prop Mike Stewart has agreed a contract extension.

Stewart, 24, has previously played for Dewsbury, Batley and Castleford, and moved to Gloucestershire on an All Golds Rugby League scholarship in 2011.

He said: “I’m thoroughly excited to be signing a new contact with the All Golds. This is my second year living in Cheltenham area, and for the forseeable future I can’t see myself being anywhere else.” 

“It’s such a different world down here compared to up north in Dewsbury. A big pull for me was the ability to be heavily involved in the community side of things and coaching. I’m no longer just playing, but gaining invaluable coaching experience too.” 

“It’s a real honour to be offered the captaincy again and hopefully I can lead us on to bigger and better things in 2014 and build on the performances in the second half of our debut Championship 1 season.” 

“There’s exciting times ahead at this club, there’s great backing and there’s great foundations and it’s clear to see that it’s got sustainable. There’s nowhere else I could want to go.” 

Stewart, who was born in Dumfries but grew up in Dewsbury, has also earned two full caps for Scotland at international level.