Coyle appointed Hunslet coach
Former Whitehaven coach James Coyle will take charge of Hunslet next year with Matt Bramald departing.
Head coach Bramald will leave the club following the completion of the 2016 season and upon expiry of his current contract.
Ex-Hunslet player Coyle, who recently left his position as head coach at Whitehaven, will take the reins.
Coyle was a part of Hunslet’s 2014 Grand Final winning squad and has extensive playing experience at Wigan Warriors and Widnes Vikings, working under and alongside Denis Betts and Adrian Lam.
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 and Eloi Pelissier.
Also assisting the coaching team will be consultant conditioner Dave Bell, the former Harlequins Rugby Union and Leigh Centurions conditioner.
Hunlset 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.”
Coyle said: “We are entering an exciting time for Hunslet R.L.F.C. 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 said: “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.
