Phil Carleton appointed as Scorpions coach
South Wales Scorpions have appointed Phil Carleton as their new coach, after the club was taken into new ownnership on Tuesday.
Carleton is originally from County Durham, but has lived in Wales for most of the last decade, having been a student in Cardiff.
The 31-year-old also played for Wales Students and Great Britain Students, and has for the past year been coaching Cardiff City RL.
He has also played 34 games for the Scorpions, winning one full Welsh cap, and has additional playing experience with Gateshead Thunder.
“It’s an exciting time and has been a whirlwind of a week,” he said.
“I am obviously very honoured and feel it is a great privilege to be considered for such a role. My thanks go to Marc and Neil for the opportunity.
“It was hard to leave Cardiff City RL as they have been very good to me but the role of head coach at a semi-professional club was too good to turn down.
“For me though, the circumstances in which I took over the position weren’t as ideal as I would have liked.
“I’ve replaced a man that I consider a friend and someone who in the past two years has had to endure a lot, though no fault of his own, often going without many things that most coaches take for granted in this league.
“Mike has helped me on and off the field and I owe him a lot. I wish him all the best and thank him and his family for all their commitment, effort and loyalty they have shown to the club.
“Ellis (Mike’s boy) will I’m sure follow his dad and adopt a new team to support but fingers crossed he will always have a soft spot for the Scorpions.
“A great deal of work sits ahead of us now. There are many roles to appoint and an ethos and culture to build, all in a short period of time.
“I am relishing the challenge and am excited to get started. I have seen just about all the eras of the Scorpions and hope I can take the best from all, learn from the mistakes and add a twist of my own.
“I can reassure all around us that while financially we are in a better place, our aim is to build a stable foundation from the bottom and get the things tight that don’t take money, before we open the cheque book.”
New Scorpions director Marc Lovering is pleased that the club have secured their first choice as coach.
“We are delighted to have secured the services of Phil Carleton as the Scorpions’ new head coach,” he said.
“Phil was always our first choice and we are delighted to have him on board so quickly.
“Phil’s local knowledge coupled with his undoubted technical ability meant he was always the front runner for the role. He is very highly regarded throughout the game in South Wales and will play a big part in moving the club forward.
“I know he is working hard to assemble a squad that will be balanced and more competitive. Details of changes to the playing squad and backroom staff will be announced once confirmed.”