Netherton and Wilson to lead Hull academy
Danny Wilson and Jason Netherton have taken charge of the City of Hull Academy U19s team following the departure of head coach James Webster.
Webster has been appointed interim head coach at Hull KR until the end of the Super League season, meaning City of Hull Academy Director Danny Wilson will now take over as Under 19s head coach for the interim period.
He will continue to be assisted by former Super League stalwart Jason Netherton, who was assistant to Webster in the new-look academy setup.
The coaching structure also includes former Hull FC player and coach Steve Crooks, as well as well-known local coach, Rob Wilson.
They are also supported by Assistant Academy Director Rob Nickolay and former Hull FC and Championship player Nathan Freer as head conditioner.
“We’ll be utilising our existing coaching staff in the interim period and review our position at the end of the season,” Wilson said.
“James has done a great job for us in recent months in helping instil the values the academy should work to and a strong technical infrastructure in which the academy can thrive.
“The availability and compensation cost of recruiting another high profile candidate at this stage of the season is untimely, whilst we’re also hesitant to unsettle a positive and ever-developing structure that is coming together at the academy.
“We have a very experienced coaching staff, particularly for working with and developing players at this level, that we believe are more than capable of continuing the excellent work we have started with this new venture.
“Jason and Rob are both developing well as coaches and have a great foil in Steve Crooks who has vast experience as a rugby league coach for many years, both at first-grade and junior development level.
“We have the full backing and continued support of both Hull FC and Hull KR and are looking forward to a good season ahead and we’ll evaluate our progress at the end of the year.”
The City of Hull Academy is made up of U19s and U16s and both recently started their new 2016 season.
The squad is formed from the best players to have come through the Hull FC and Hull KR junior recruitment process and the players remain ring-fenced to their parent club for the next four years.
A number of academy players have already enjoyed first-team experience with their respective club, with Ross Osborne, Reece Dean and Jez Litten all handed squad numbers at the Black and Whites this season, whilst the Robins awarded a first-team debut to Kieran Moran against Widnes on Friday and handed out a first team squad number to centre Joe Wardill last week.