McCormack commits to Gateshead
Gateshead Head Coach Steve McCormack has signed a new three-year contract with the North East club.
The Scotland international coach joined Thunder in May, and led them to a Challenge Cup quarter final against St Helens.
He is currently trying to fight off the threat of relegation, with Thunder embroiled in a relegation dogfight with Batley and Leigh to avoid demotion to Championship 1.
McCormack said: “I was really excited about taking the opportunity at Gateshead Thunder when presented and I am as excited now as on my first day. I am really enjoying working at Thunder and there’s a great spirit on and off the pitch.
“I wasn’t too worried about getting a contract signed when I first started as I just wanted to get into training and matches. However, I have really enjoyed being at the club and I have a good relationship with the players, staff, volunteers and Directors. The more time I spent here the more I wanted to be at Thunder long term. I am pleased that the club felt the same way! ”
“I have got to know the owners, Steve and Sarah Garside, well since I was appointed and I would like to thank them for the faith they have shown in me and the kindness they have shown to me and my family. It’s obviously not easy moving to a new area. Having said that, I am really settled in Newcastle.
“Gateshead Thunder is a good club with a lot of ambition. We are building for the future and we probably just need a bit of stability at the moment. Gateshead International Stadium has world class training facilities and an international level stadium and there is no reason why Gateshead Thunder cannot return to Super League, where it all started in 1999.”
McCormack was sacked by previous club Widnes after just one game of 2009 – a 22-20 defeat at home to Oldham – and has been to four National League 1 Grand Finals – losing them all.
Club owner Steve Garside said: “Steve McCormack has years of experience at Super League and Championship level has been a great asset in the club’s first season in the Co-operative Championship. As a club, we are looking at establishing Gateshead Thunder as a strong force in the Co-operative Championship and then building for the next level. Steve is an important part of that. I was really pleased when he joined the club in May and I am equally pleased that he has committed to Gateshead Thunder for the next 3 years. We are all in this long term.”
McCormack led Scotland in last year’s World Cup in Australia and has previously coached at Salford and Whitehaven.