Kirke joins Leeds backroom staff

Leeds have confirmed that Ian Kirke will be remaining at the club in the role of conditioner for the first-team squad.

He will work part-time under the supervision of Jason Davidson, the club’s head of athletic performance.

“I am delighted to have Ian back on board at the club,” said Davidson.

“He will take over from Chris Black, who is now heading up the strength and conditioning work at Yorkshire Carnegie. Ian will be working with the first team with their conditioning and strength programmes as well as analysing the GPS data from training.

“It is always good to bring someone in who not only is well qualified but has also played the game and knows the requirements needed to perform in the game and the day to day demands that are placed on a player’s body.”

Kirke underwent an operation at the end of the season, and is yet to make a decision as to whether to continue playing.

“I will make a decision in the New Year as to whether I will play on next season on a part-time basis,” he said.

“But I am really looking forward to the challenge at the Rhinos. Obviously I know the place very well having spent nine years here and I have a lot of respect for what Jason Davidson has done with the squad during that period.

“Strength and conditioning is something that I have always had an interest in having completed my degree before I joined the Rhinos and have acquired several qualifications since then.

“I have always prided myself on how I took care of myself during my career and hopefully I can transfer some of that to our young players as well.

“It is great to have all the qualifications but it is not always the easiest thing to apply that in the real world and hopefully I will be able to do that.”