Huddersfield Giants coach Paul Anderson is confident Stuart Fielden will make just as positive an impact as a coach as he did as a player.
Former Great Britain prop Fielden announced his retirement as a player three months ago after suffering an injury-hit season and the 34-year-old was immediately offered a job on the staff.
Fielden has spent the past month working with the Giants’ rising stars to prepare them physically for the official start of pre-season training on Monday.
“Stu is already stamping his authority as a coach,” explained Anderson. “Over the past month, he’s been breaking one or two of our young kids, which is no bad thing. It should make them better prepared for the next few tough months ahead.
“He’s been working with them with some contact and wrestle-type things, and it already looks as if that’s been paying off.
“Stu’s got big standing in the game and with his sheer presence he’s helping improve the attitude of the youngsters. He’s helping to create the right culture.
“In terms of our coaching team, he’s just as important as Chris Thorman, Keiron Purtill and myself to what we’re trying to achieve here. But it’s already clear he’ll play a big role in helping us improve
“We may have finished top of Super League this year, but that’s simply made everyone even more determined to be even better next year.”
