Scorpions appoint first ever head coach

New Championship 1 side South Wales Scorpions have appointed Anthony Seibold as their first ever head coach.

Seibold, who has worked with Celtic Crusaders for the past three seasons, took charge for the opening day victory over Workington and his appointment has now been made official.

Seibold said: “With the relocation of the Crusaders to Wrexham and the recent change of ownership it is a good time for me to move on with my life. My family and I are well settled down here in South Wales.

“Taking over at the Scorpions is a big challenge. In all honesty, despite winning our first game, we are way behind the eight ball for season 2010.

“we just want to be competitive on and off the field this year and the goal is to have a good infrastructure off the field and all going well chalk up a few more wins. I’ve no reservations in saying that we are looking at a long-term approach, a bit like London Skolars in our division – they’re currently developing and nurturing London-born players – we’re adopting the same approach with 99% of our players being born and bred here in Wales.”

A former Brisbane and Canberra player, Seibold came to the UK almost 12 years ago, turning out for London Broncos and Hull KR before returning to Australia for the 2005 season. He signed for new club Celtic in 2006, before moving on to assistant coach, football manager and strength and conditioning coach positions.

He added: “This is an entirely different set-up or pressures to when Celtic Crusaders started up – we’re not going to bring in an influx of overseas players to chase for a Super League licence. South Wales Scorpions is about the born and bred Welsh kids and their development and that of the club in the long term.”

Seibold will also take up the role of Head of Football with Wales Rugby League, where he will be working alongside Iestyn Harris and Mark Rowley.

Seibold said: “Iestyn’s the Welsh international team coach of course and assistant coach of the Crusaders and with me now being coach at the Scorpions, the two clubs are hopefully where the bulk of our international players will come from so it makes sense to work together.

“We’re in communication weekly and Iestyn comes down to South Wales once a week to spend time with players in the Crusaders academy system and with the Scorpions players too and this is a massive coup for the game here.”