Coaching staff commits to Leigh
Coach Neil Jukes, assistant Paul Anderson and strength and conditioning coaches Nathan Pennington and Paul Wood have all signed new contracts with the Leigh Centurions until November 2018.
Jukes has been on the club’s coaching staff since 2009 and was assistant coach from 2012 until becoming head coach just before the start of the 2016 season.
Anderson was reserves team coach in 2014-15 and moved up to the assistant coach role in February 2016. Both are former Leigh Centurions players.
Pennington started with the scholarship and academy teams in 2010 and moved up to first team duties in 2011. Wood joined the staff over the off-season after calling time on his illustrious playing career that included 15 seasons in Super League with Warrington Wolves and saw him earn international honours.
Leigh boss Derek Beaumont said: ” Neil is a great bloke and is really easy to work with. I have seen first-hand his knowledge and ability over the last two years so didn’t doubt that.
“He has been full-time at the Club for some time and involved as a coach at the club for around seven years. What I have been really impressed with are his management skills and his honesty to his principals in dealing with situations.
“The way he has dealt with the past few weeks was what has left me in no doubt he is the man for the job. He is likeable, fun and friendly and has the complete respect and support of the boys and his back room team which I think is evident by the way they have ground out the results for him.
“Whilst his role has been hard so far it will become hard in a different manner now as we start to get our injured players back and pressure builds on team selection and rotation, but I know he is relishing that challenge.
“I would like to thank Neil his staff and all the players for their efforts for the Club during that difficult period. The sun is now shining and we are in a good place to focus on continuing our journey to achieve our ultimate goal.”
Neil Jukes said: “It is a huge honour to be Head Coach of Leigh Centurions and I am really privileged to be holding this position at this great Club. The potential here is even greater for us to go on and achieve great things.
“I’d like to thank the back room staff and the current players for all their support and together we aim to improve the on-field and off-field performances and move forward together.
“If you turn up each day and work hard with a smile on your face you have a chance to succeed in whatever job you are doing. That’s something we all do at this Club and we are a really happy, committed and determined group with a real family feel.
“Most of all I’d like to thank Derek and the other board members for all their help and support which has been fantastic. All the directors are really committed to the Club and we are a very united group on and off the field. I am confident we can move forward together and achieve our goals.”