UNDERBANK Rangers have re-appointed Ritchie Hawkyard and Richard Knight as their coaches for the 2009 Rugby League Conference season.
The duo (Hawkhard is inset) were in charge for the first time last season, with the club more than satisfied with their fifth-placed finish in 2008.
And Knight said: “I had no hesitation in committing for next season,” he said.
“The club has a fantastic base to build on for next year and, if the guys stick together, accompanied by some of the quality players there are in Huddersfield and the surrounding areas, then I believe next year will be the best we’ve ever hard.
“I’m sure we will be able to firmly push to be in the Grand Final.”
Underbank chairman Michael Nasey was delighted the duo had agreed to continue to coach the side, and also added, “For the coaching staff and the majority of the team it was their first full season at this level of competition.
“And the experience gained by all should hopefully transfer the narrow losses and drawn games of 2008 into wins in 2009, resulting in a top-three place being a real possibility and a minimum target for next season”.
To emphasise the club’s ambitions to win the competition, Nasey and team manager Neil Farrell flew to Australia last week to finalise the arrangements for several quality players to join up with the club next year.
Nasey also praised the Holme Valley business community for continuing to back the club’s challenge for honours next season, adding: “Despite the reported doom and gloom in the business world, our sponsors have continued to support the team for 2009 with increased levels of financial backing, proving that Underbank is a safe bank to invest in”.
And Nasey believes the competition continues to provide opportunities for players not available elsewhere within the game.
“Our involvement in the RLC National league in 2009 will once again provide a tough challenge and high level of competition for the staff and players, and is a shop window for any aspiring young players in the area to test their talents and capabilities,” he continued.
“We welcome any players to come and try to gain a place in the squad for 2009.
“With a high level of commitment and dedication, both on and off the field, there is a real chance of Rangers lifting their first national title, which would be a fitting way to commemorate the club’s 125th anniversary in 2009.
Mention of the historic event gives the club chance to announce that several functions will be held during the next 14 months to commemorate the momentous milestone in the club’s history.
The diary will kick-off with a Race Night to be held at the Boot and Shoe Inn, Scholes on November 8, followed in December by an unique evening of ‘World Cup Anecdotes with Tony Smith’. Details for the evening will be released shortly.
And the curtain was drawn on Underbank’s 2008 season with the awards evening at the Old Bridge Hotel, Holmfirth.
Australian Matt Stewart, who has just returned home, was a unanimous winner of both the Player of the Year and the Barry Wilde Trophy as Players’ Player of the Year, with Dave Valentine and Darren Hawkyard joint runners-up for the Player of the Year title, which was selected by match referees in the season.
Rugby League Conference National Young Player of the Year Matt Garside won the Rookie of the Year gong, and Darren Hawkyard was the coaches’ Man of Steel.
