Newcastle Thunder to return to part-time status
Thunder players enter the field for the Friendly match between Newcastle Thunder and Wigan Warriors at Kingston Park, Newcastle on Saturday 22nd January 2022
Championship club Newcastle Thunder will return to a part-time model for the 2023 season.
The side currently sit 11th in the Championship table, having picked up just seven wins from 23. Previous head coach Eamon O’Carroll left the club midway through the season to return to Catalans Dragons’ reserves side. O’Carroll resigned from his position as Thunder boss back in June.
Newcastle Thunder returned to full-time ahead of the 2022 season for the first time since 1999.
Club chair Keith Christie said: “2022 has been a disappointing season with significant investment made into the club not translating into results on the pitch.
“We will engage with our players and staff regarding the way forward, and will communicate any updates in due course.”
Newcastle Thunder added in a statement: “The club has spent the 2022 season as a full-time environment as it looked to build on preserving its Championship status in 2021.
“Following a thorough review of operations at Kingston Park Stadium the decision has been made to return to running a part-time model from next season.”
What next for Newcastle Thunder?
The north east side currently sit 11th in the table, having endured a disappointing season in the Championship.
The side had won the race to play in the Championship in the 2021 season from League 1. They filled the vacant role left then by Leigh Centurions, who replaced Toronto Wolfpack in the Super League.
Their squad is full of talented players including former Wigan trio Craig Mullen, Jake Shorrocks and Josh Woods. The side also includes Super League experience such as Mitch Clark, Alex Foster and Ukuma Ta’ai. However, they have only picked up seven wins against Workington (twice), Whitehaven, Dewsbury, Widnes, London Broncos and Bradford.
Full-time allowed the side to bring in experienced players and relocate them to Newcastle. However, a change to part-time could see the side lose those members for the 2023 campaign.
PODCAST: Liam Marshall on almost giving up on rugby league, England hopes & Peet’s Wigan transformation
FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app and podcast