STANLEY GENE BECOMES FULL TIME THUNDER HEAD COACH thunderrugby 17th October 2014 Gateshead Thunder are delighted to announce the permanent appointment of Stanley Gene as head coach for season 2015 and beyond as the club looks to build on an impressive 2014 campaign. Gene, who had combined his Thunder coaching role with duties as assistant first team coach at Hull Kingston Rovers last term, will be focusing solely on Thunder matters as the Tyneside club look to push for promotion from Kingstone Press League 1. In his first season in charge of the Thunder, Gene oversaw 11 regular season wins, including a club record equalling 6 – 66 win away to London Skolars and a 40 – 14 triumph over Oldham Roughyeds on the final day of the regular season. He also oversaw a period of gradual improvement, culminating in Thunder establishing themselves as one of the form teams in the competition towards the end of the summer, as the took five wins from six matches in July and August. With the undoubted high point of the season being the qualification for the end of season play offs for the first time since 2008, Gene will be setting the bar high for 2015 in what will be an even tougher competition, with Barrow Raiders Keighley Cougars, North Wales Crusaders, Rochdale Hornets and Swinton Lions all dropping down from Kingstone Press Championship. I’m really proud of what the team achieved this season and my focus now is on having another good year in 2015.” “We have already secured a good core of our squad from 2014 already including Jordan Meads and we have already begun to strengthen with Benn Hardcastle added to the squad and further quality additions to come.” I’m excited to be taking on a bigger role at Gateshead next season but I must say how grateful I am to Hull KR for giving me an opportunity. I have learned a lot in the last three years and that will be key to achieving what I want to with Thunder.” Thunder Managing Director Keith Christie said: “I am thrilled to welcome Stan to Thunder full time after what was a very successful season in 2014 and I am hopeful that we will make another significant step with Stan here full time.” “He will also be working as part of our community engagement programmes as we look to continue to build Thunder as a club and a force in the game.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:07:19 +0000
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