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Gateshead link up with Durham Tigers

Thursday 11th March 2010

Gateshead Thunder have strengthened their youth performance pathway by creating an official link up and partnership with Durham Tigers ARLFC.

The Tigers, who are based in West Durham 34 miles away, are currently playing at the one of the country's highest levels of junior rugby league in the Yorkshire Youth Combination League Under 17 Division 1 as well as having teams at every age group in the North East Leagues with several high-quality players within their ranks.

As part of the link up, all Durham Tigers players will now become part of the Gateshead Thunder Youth Performance programme, where they will also be monitored and trained by Gateshead Thunder Coach Andrew Hood, with the long term hope of becoming part of the Gateshead Thunder first-team.

However, the players will continue to represent Durham Tigers, be an integral part of both clubs and represent the region in every occasion.

Of the partnership, Director of Rugby Chris Hood said:

"This is great news that Gateshead Thunder and Durham Tigers have formed a fantastic link up for the benefit of all parties but mostly for the players."

"Durham Tigers are a great club with wonderful volunteers and sponsors, working tirelessly to ensure the game grows in the area."

"We already have a fantastic system in place with the Gateshead Thunder Under 18s in the Gillette National Youth League, and we are looking to replicate the systems that we have in place with those players and take that to Durham Tigers."

"We now have two ‘centres of excellence' in the region where we will hopefully see the next future Thunder stars produced."

Joe Smith, Chairman Durham Tigers commented:

"This is not just great news for our club, but for the development of the game in the North, we see this as a critical piece in the development of the Durham Tigers jigsaw, it has given a great boost to everyone at our club."

"We endeavour give first class opportunities for our players. The preparation and facilities here at Durham Tigers for players all across the county are second to none, and to have a young, up and coming coach in Andrew with so much commitment to the development of the players, means we have completed that."

Andrew will work alongside and mentoring Steve Middlemas Jnr, a former Durham Tigers player, another young man with bags of enthusiasm, who is committed to developing the ability of all the players in our club and letting the youngsters of the North East enjoy the great game of Rugby League.

"The players will continue to represent our club and the region, but can also see that they are part of a bigger picture which will give them real opportunities to play to the highest level of Rugby League in the region."

New Tigers Head Coach Hood, who has recently been selected as a coach in the new RFL Regional Talent programme, will also continue to be a club coach at Gateshead Thunder when not on duty at the Tigers.

Andrew said:

"What we have done in the last year with the Gateshead Thunder Youth Performance programme is fantastic and we are now producing players good enough to be part of the professional ranks."

"I want to take what we are doing with those players with me to the Tigers and give the players first class coaching and the opportunity to better themselves at whatever level they wish to aspire to."

"I have been and met the player, coaches and staff at the club and I see this as a wonderful opportunity for me to not only make a difference to the players' abilities but to also become part of a fantastic club."