Thunder Add to Community Team

Friday 26th February 2010

Story in brief:
Thunder Community Rugby League Coaches Joe Brown (L), Ryan Clarke (C) and Steve Beaty

Gateshead Thunder have not had the smoothest off season of their 10 year history but with the appointment of three Full time Community Rugby League Coaches they seem to be turning the corner at long last. With support from the RFL, Gateshead College and School Sports Partnerships from across the region Gateshead Thunder will now have coaches deployed across the North East, ensuring Rugby League continues to surge in popularity.

Covering Gateshead and Newcastle will be Ryan Clarke, a product of the Thunder academy and now first team regular. Ryan will be involved in all aspects of Rugby League in Gateshead and Newcastle, from coaching at Gateshead College to working with youngsters at schools and clubs across the region. Speaking of his appointment, Ryan said "Having come through the system at Thunder and been involved in the Rugby League academy at Gateshead College, I understand the needs of players in the North East and I am excited about being able to give back to a sport that has given me so much."

Jamaican International Joe Brown will be working across Sunderland and South Tyneside, helping to ensure youngsters from across the region have the best possible chance of gaining international honours themselves. Joe commented "I have been fortunate to have a career that has taken me around the world, from Australia to the USA. Now I am back at the club where it all began for me and I am looking forward to setting players out on the same path that I have been down. I feel there is a lot of potential for Rugby League in Sunderland and South Tyneside, and I am grateful to be involved in unlocking it." 

Cramlington Rockets stalwart Steve Beaty will look to build upon successful work he has already undertaken in North Tyneside and Northumberland, where a growing Rugby League Community has lead to the introduction of a new adult team and thriving youth section at the Rockets. "Working with Cramlington Rockets has given me a great amount of experience that I can bring to the table at Gateshead Thunder. Rugby League is ready to explode in Northumberland and North Tyneside and Thunder's involvement will be a massive help to the clubs in the region." 

Sam Shaw-Kew, Community Development Manager at Gateshead Thunder, has said of the appointments "We were surprised at the high standard of applications we received for these posts, and we are really pleased with the three guys we have appointed. There is a vast amount of knowledge and experience between them and a fantastic desire to expand the sport in our region."

"Gateshead Thunder are passionate about North East Rugby League and these appointments will help us build a lasting legacy to help create the Ryan Clarkes of the future."

RFL North East Regional Manager Jo Drapier added "It's great to see such good quality coaches in place. I believe that Rugby League will grow from strength from strength in the North East; a key priority for the coaches will be to work with the local community clubs to help and support them in attracting new players. Another key area of work will be to work with the colleges and universities within the region to help increase participation in Rugby League. It's exciting times for Rugby League in the North East"