Stanley Gene appointed as Gateshead coach
Stanley Gene has been appointed as the new head coach of Championship 1 side Gateshead Thunder.
Gene, 39, a former Papua New Guinea international, has been on the coaching staff of Hull KR, coaching their Under 19s academy squad.
He said: “I am delighted to join Gateshead Thunder. I have been increasingly impressed with the lads and what Kevin Neighbour (former head coach) has achieved.
“My ambition is to take the club to the next level and to continue the hard work that has been put in here already. I’ll be up in the North East soon, and look forward to meeting the fans and sponsors.”
Gene succeeds Kevin Neighbour in the role, after his departure at the end of the season.
Neighbour led Thunder to a 7th place finish, with four wins and six bonus point defeats in the 16-game campaign.
Thunder managing director Keith Christie added: “Myself and the Gateshead Thunder Board are delighted to have Stan on board.
“My ambition is to take the club to the next level and to continue the hard work that has been put in here already.”
“He will inherit a squad of lads that have been moulded into a team by Kevin Neighbour, and our hope is that he can take us further. I have spoken to Stan who has some great ideas and players he wants to bring to the club.
“Stan was a no-nonsense player and he is a very demanding coach – someone who will install a strong work ethic on and off the field. He joins us with a wealth of experience in different capacities.”
Gateshead were National League 2 champions in 2008, but managed just one season in the second tier before financial problems saw them drop back down.