Recently retired Stuart Fielden is confident next season will be as enjoyable for him as the last.
Although the former Great Britain prop was restricted to just nine Super League appearances in his one season at the Giants, the 34-year-old couldn’t have been happier about his decision to move to Huddersfield from Wigan for the start of last season.
The knee injury which kept him sidelined for so long may have ended his playing career, but having been offered a role on the Giants coaching staff and watched the side going on to lift the Super League Leaders’ Shield for the first time, Fielden was able to remain in a positive mood.
And he is sure that upbeat feeling will continue throughout 2014.
“I may not have played that many games last season, but it was still one of the most enjoyable in my career,” said Fielden, who won every domestic honour in the game during his time at Bradford Bulls and at one time was rated the world’s best prop forward.
“As the season progressed I could see the group of players grow and grow, and I was absolutely delighted to see the boys lift the League Leaders Shield, but obviously, having to retire as a player is something you never look forward to doing.
“I was really fortunate to be offered a coaching job straight away at a fantastic club that’s full of great people and I also know I couldn’t be working at the place at a better time.
“After winning the Shield last season, there’s a real collective sense of determination to do even better next year.”
My new life as a coach – Stuart Fielden on his new rugby league role in Examiner Sport on Thursday.
