TOWN APPOINT GARY HEWER AS HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT

Proven experience in player pathways key to appointment as Town look to the future!

Workington Town are delighted to announce that Gary Hewer will join the club as its new Head of Development. Gary will assist the coaching team of Chris Thorman and Neil Frazer and will have specific responsibility for ensuring the right technical and pastoral support is in place for those making the step up from the community game. He will also ensure that Town is working in close partnership with key stakeholders including West Cumbria's community clubs to collectively strengthen and grow the sport in the area. 

Gary has a strong pedigree in the community game and is currently head coach of the BARLA Lions and the Cumbria County Rugby League Representative Programme. He previously coached Distington before joining National Conference League side Egremont as head coach and has extensive experience in player development and succession planning having worked in the RFL National Player Development and Talent Identification Programmes.

Gary said: "Building stronger links between our professional clubs and the community game is a key step in improving rugby league with in West Cumbria.  “I’ve always been an advocate for local players as the raw talent is out there with in the community game” “It's a big step up from amateur to professional and we have a duty of care to give as much opportunity and support to those in the community game that want to grasp it'' 

Head Coach, Chris Thorman, said: "I've got a great team working with me here at Town and Gary will add to that. Everyone knows their role but can muck in as well. As we did last year we'll be working with a group of identified community players and part of Gary’s role will be to use his extensive experience to make sure they are looked after well, begin to understand our professional expectations, and improve with the ultimate aim of being Town players of the future.

Town Chair, Les Smallwood said: "It's great to have Gary on board. A key strand of our club strategy is to enhance our relationship with the community game in West Cumbria and help develop a proven pathway into the professional game. That work is going well but having a dedicated and knowledgable resource to concentrate fully on it will take us to the next level.

Welcome to Workington Town Gary.