Featherstone Rovers confirm departure of Super League legend amid aims for full-time model
Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com.
Featherstone Rovers have confirmed the departure of Super League legend Leon Pryce as part of the club’s backroom restructure.
Pryce, 41, returned to coaching ahead of the 2023 Championship campaign as assistant coach to Sean Long at Featherstone.
The former Great Britain and England international also joined the club alongside Ian Hardman, with the trio all playing together at St Helens during their careers.
Featherstone confirmed their aims of reaching a full-time environment in the near-future, with goals of promotion to Super League for the 2024 campaign.
The side currently sit at the top of the Championship table and only recently fell to their first defeat of the year, with a 36-18 scoreline at home against Toulouse.
A statement read: “As the club start to prepare for the business end of the season, we have made some changes to our backroom structure to plan ahead for the rest of the season that will see the squad transition to a schedule closer to that of a full-time team.
“As part of this change, some minor changes have been made to the coaching team with Leon Pryce leaving his role as assistant coach and the appointment of a new full-time strength and conditioning coach.
“Leon leaves the club with our best wishes. He has made a significant contribution to the team’s preparations throughout this season as well as being a key player in establishing an environment that players have relished.
“We understand that Leon has a full-time job away from rugby and that it is in his family’s best interests that he cannot make the change to a full-time coaching role.”
Martin Roden has also left his post as strength and conditioning coach, making way for Jamie Bell to take on a full-time role.
Featherstone Rovers part ways with Leon Pryce
Newly appointed director of rugby James Ford commented: James Ford: “With the majority of our players being available throughout the day, it makes sense that we spend as much time as possible on the field to ensure we are the best version of ourselves as we head towards the business end of the season.
“We are now transitioning into a hybrid model where the players can optimise their strength and conditioning, recovery, review and field work.
“This makes the best use of the resources at our disposal.
“Both move on with our very best wishes and we thank them for their considerable efforts and impact this year.
“Jamie Bell will join as a full-time S&C coach, Ian Hardman will take on greater responsibility, particularly around coaching defence.
“I’ll also continue to grow into my role and support the coaching team wherever needed.”
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