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Lions to appoint Alan Kilshaw as Head Coach

Alan Kilshaw to succeed Allan Coleman at end of this season on 2-year deal

We are delighted to confirm that Alan Kilshaw will be the next Swinton Lions Head Coach.

Following news that our current coach Allan Coleman will be leaving at the end of the 2023 season , we moved quickly to conduct an extensive recruitment process in order to identify a successor. Having subsequently spoken to Alan at length it was clear that his ambitions and philosophy were very much in line with our own, and we were delighted to come to an agreement for him to take up the reins at the Lions.

A further more extensive update on Alan’s appointment will be presented at the end of the current season , but in the meantime we aim to respect Alan’s commitments to Hunslet , whilst continuing to fully support Allan Coleman through our own very important remaining Championship fixtures. A smooth coaching transition is the aim, incorporating careful management of our player retention and recruitment process.

Alan Kilshaw said, “I am hugely honoured to be tasked with leading Swinton Lions for the next two seasons.

“ Having met some of their key personnel,  the club’s ambitions were clearly evident, and with strong infrastructures already in place I’m confident we can build on this season’s performances and align the off-field success with ongoing success on the field.

“In the short term I will be keeping a keen eye on their results and wishing them all the best for the remainder of the season.”

News

LIONS AND EAGLES FLY RL FLAG IN BELFAST

Swinton Lions continue to develop links with Ireland Rugby League and Belfast Eagles

Swinton Lions’ Director of Development, Damian Ridpath, together with the Belfast Eagles’ co-founders and coaches Peter Robson and his wife Lisa, recently organised the second joint annual player and coaching development weekend in Belfast. The Eagles are a thriving community club in the heart of the city and are at the forefront of developing and promoting rugby league in Northern Ireland.

Gareth Pratt, the Swinton Lions Youth Player Development Coach, headed up this year’s programme of events. He led various coaching sessions through a fabulous weekend of rugby league for all of the club’s players. The age groups ranged from 6 years upwards, and on to the youth players and through to the seniors and masters.

In all around 100 participants spent the weekend enjoying the coaching sessions which included core skills development – catch, carry, pass, tackle technique, play-the-ball technique, defence, transition from offence to defence, responsibilities around the ruck area, modified games, team building, methods of improving communication skills – plus lots of fun games for all!

In addition to the coaching of the players, Gareth also took time to hold sessions for all the Belfast Eagles staff to assist with their own coaching development. Gareth explained the session plans, demonstrated methods of coaching the core skills and adding pressure during the sessions, then supervised the Eagles’ personnel whilst they coached the players, and advised them on coaching different skills and game tactics.

Gareth thanked all the club’s coaches, the chairman, secretary, safeguarding officer, laws of the game official, secretary and many more other voluntary helpers who assisted in providing everything needed throughout the weekend. The hospitality from all at the club was fabulous! Gareth added that the bond between the two clubs has grown beyond all expectations over a very short period, and he hoped to see the players and coaches at the Eagles continue on their development pathway.

The excellent club training facilities in Belfast were immaculate and perfect for the weekend of coaching sessions. Club volunteers also provided food and drinks for all the people participating in the sessions throughout both days.

Gareth, Peter and Lisa also held some very special award ceremonies at the close of the weekend’s events and it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces enjoying rugby league.

Peter and Lisa were very impressed with the way the development weekend went and hoped that the relationship with the Lions will continue to create  more opportunities for people to enjoy rugby league. They were enthused that the Belfast Eagles partnership with Swinton Lions would continue to build the profile of rugby league and increase participation in the sport across Belfast and Northern Ireland.

The Swinton Lions CEO, Steve Wild, added, “On behalf of the Lions I want to congratulate all concerned on a superbly successful weekend, the second of its kind. It’s so important that we continue to grow our relevance and brand as a club, both for our own benefit, and for the wider benefit of the sport. On behalf of the Lions’ Board, we wish every success to the Eagles, with the hope that the relationship between our clubs continues to blossom and bear fruit.”

News

WEAKENED LIONESSES GO DOWN TO EAGLES

Swinton Lionesses 6 Sheffield Eagles 62

 Alan Dixon at Heywood Road

A much weakened Lionesses were unable to prevent Sheffield inflicting a heavy defeat on a big double-header day at Heywood Road.

Sheffield went on the attack first but knocked on 10 metres from the Lionesses line. From the resulting scrum, the ball was moved out to Eve Ashcroft who raced 90 metres to score under the posts. Holly Grimes added the extras for a 6-0 Lionesses lead. Sheffield soon went back on the attack and after a scrum on the Lionesses 20 metre line, Agnes Wood weaved her way over to score. Danie Green missed the conversion. The Eagles went into the lead 4 minutes later. After winning a penalty for a ball steal, they moved the ball downfield and Agnes Wood dived over the line to score. Again Danie Green missed the conversion and the Eagles led 8-6. The Lionesses were caught offside in the 15th minute. From the resulting penalty, Agnes Wood scored under the posts. Danie Green converted for a 14-6 lead.

The Lionesses went back on the attack but could not break through the Sheffield defence. They turned over possession in the 25th minute and Sheffield broke downfield were Agnes Wood broke through 3 tackles to score. Danie Green added the conversion for a 20-6 lead. Five minutes later Agnes Wood scored next to the posts after the Lionesses were penalised for offside. Danie Green converted to extend the Eagles lead to 26-6. The Eagles scored again from the kick off when they moved the ball downfield. This time Pete Lendon  scored near the posts. Danie Green converted for a 32-6 half time lead.

The Eagles started the second half on the attack. A last ditch tackle by Maddie Higson prevented Matilda Butler from scoring. The ball was moved across to Lisa Parker who kicked through the Lionesses defence for Sophie Anderton to score in the corner. Danie Green missed the conversion. The Lionesses recovered the restart and were able to put pressure on the Eagles line. A kick through by Georgia Cunliffe forced a goal line drop out. Another error gave possession back to the Eagles who moved downfield to put pressure on the Lionesses line. The Lionesses won a penalty on their own line in the 53rd minute. Holly Grimes missed touch with the kick. The ball was moved inside to Danie Green to score. She converted her own try to take the lead to 42-6. Five minutes later Sophie Anderton scored in the corner after the Lionesses were penalised for a shoulder charge. Danie Green missed the conversion.

The Lionesses were penalised for a ball steal in the 62nd minute. From the penalty, the Eagles got over the line but, good defence by the Lionesses stopped Danie Green for touching down. Three minutes later Danie Green crossed to score after the Lionesses knocked on 10 metres from their own line. She converted her own try to make it 52-6. The Lionesses managed to break out of defence in the 71st minute. A good run down the wing by Ellie Walsh ended with her being tackled into touch. The Eagles moved the ball downfield where Agnes Wood broke through the Lionesses defence to run 30 metres to score under the posts. Danie Green converted to make it 58-6 Sheffield scored. Sheffield scored again with 4 minutes remaining when Danie Green scored out wide. She was unable to convert her own try. The game was worth 4 points due to the away game being postponed and being unable to re-arrange it.

Swinton Lionesses

Eve Ashcroft, Abbie Parkes-Holden, Ellie Walsh, Katie Garry, Emily Haley, Maddie Higson, Ellie Thirkell, Helena Ryan, Ruby Collins, Lydia Elstone, Laura Bent, Darcy Price, Georgia Cunliffe. SUBS : Rhianna Scott, Holly Grimes, Sophie Sykes, Rebecca Roden, Leah Christian

Try : Ashcroft (3)

Goal : Grimes 1

Sheffield Eagles

Matilda Butler, Michelle King, Claire Fisher, Holly Milton, Sophie Anderton, Lisa Parker, Sarah Palmer, Jessica Sayles, Agnes Wood, Katie England, Danie Green, Beth Arnold, Pete Lendon. SUBS : Sinead Fleming, Jenny Crofts, Simone Saunders, Chris Scullion, Helen Colclough, Tori Dorney

Tries : Wood (8,12,14,25,30,71), Lendon (33), Anderton (45,58), Green (53,65,76)

Goals : Green 7

Penalties : 5-6

Half Time : 6-32

Referee : Lee Hegerty

News

VITAL VICTORY AFTER TENSE ENCOUNTER!

 SWINTON LIONS 18 KEIGHLEY COUGARS 10

 IAN RIGG at Heywood Road, Sunday 6 August

Swinton clinched an important league-double in a pulsating game against Keighley Cougars. The Lions took the lead in the second minute when Dan Abram converted a penalty for an off the ball hit on Robbie Butterworth, but Cougars tried to hit back but they knocked on in the Lions’ ten and the chance went. Matty Foster then stretched the Lions’ lead on thirteen minutes when Butterworth and George Roby combined to send him over on the left and Abram converted. Charlie Graham thought he was going to score for Cougars with a run down the left wing but a great tackle by Jayden Hatton sent him to touch. Cougars had another good chance when Robbie Storey went for the left corner but another good tackle by Hatton forced him to lose the ball. They did finally get over the line when Brad Walker kicked towards the line, and it bounced up nicely for Lewis Young to collect and score under the posts with Oscar Thomas adding the conversion. There was a talking pint over the score as Kenny Baker had arguably been accidentally blocked by the referee.

Cougars started the second half on the attack and a kick towards the line was fielded by Abram, but hit was hit slightly high by Young, and he was sent to the sin bin after a consultation by the officials. Walker threw away a good chance on forty-six minutes when he lost the ball near the Lions line and then Junior Sa’u was grounded just short. Both sides were trading chances, but the final pass was going to ground, and it was the Lions who went further ahead when the Impressive Abram shot through a gap to score on the right near the corner, but he could not add the conversion. Cougars hit back again on sixty-eight minutes when Ellis Robson forced his way over from short range but the conversion from Thomas hit the post and bounced out. The Lions were coming strong again and with nine minutes left Jordy Gibson put a kick for the line, but it just ran away from Mike Butt as he tried to ground it. Thomas Doyle then tried to get over for Cougars but his kick over the goal line was too strong. It was getting very tense in the closing minutes, but with three minutes left the Lions won a scrum thirty metres out in centre field and on loanee Butterworth took the pass from Gibson to sidestep the Cougars defence and raced away to score under the posts with Abram converting to all but secure the victory for his side. Cougars got the ball back from the kick off and again put late pressure on the line, but Mo Agoro could not control the final pass and the hooter went just seconds afterwards.

LIONS

1 Dan Abram

2 Mike Butt

11 Rhodri Lloyd

3 Jake Spedding

4 Jayden Hatton

32 Robbie Butterworth

7 Jordy Gibson

8 Gav Bennion

30 George Roby

35 Lewis Hall

34 Matty Foster

12 Mitch Cox

6 Nick Gregson

Subs (all used)

31 Cain Robb

25 Scott Parnaby

10 Kenny Baker

17 Dane Windrow

Tries: Foster (13), Abram (59), Butterworth (77)

Goals: Abram ¾

COUGARS

1 Lewis Young

3 Charlie Graham

42 Junior Sa’u

23 Robbie Storey

5 Mo Agoro

46 Oscar Thomas

20 Brad Walker

24 Mark Ioane

26 Thomas Doyle

11 Kyle Trout

19 Ellis Robson

27 Sadiq Adebyi

13 Kyle Kesik

Subs (all used)

21 Lloyd Roby

8 Dan Parker

32 Jack Bibby

45 Tom Nicholson-Watton

Tries: Young (35), Robson (28)

Goals: Thomas 1/2

Sinbin: Young (42) High Tackle

Penalty count: 6-3

Half-time: 8-6

Referee: Nick Bennett

Attendance: 1179

News

LIONS BRING FOUR IN ON LOAN

IMPORTANT SQUAD STRENTHENING AHEAD OF SEASON RUN-IN

Following a hectic couple of days ahead of the transfer deadline, we are pleased to announce the arrival of four loan signings, each to the end of the season.

Firstly an exciting double capture from Wakefield Trinity! Robbie Butterworth, who can play half-back or full-back, made his Super League debut earlier this season. He is 20 years old with a big future ahead of him.

Also coming to Heywood Road from Belle Vue is middle Dane Windrow. Dane is also 20 years old and is on the fringes of Wakefield’s first team.

We are also delighted to bring in Cain Robb from Castleford Tigers. Although still short of his 21^st birthday, Cain already has plenty of Super League experience under his belt with Cas and will provide an enormous boost at number 9, especially given the injury to Josh Eaves last week.

For further cover at hooker, we have also taken 24 years old Nathan Conroy on loan from Hunslet.

We trust Swinton supporters will welcome all four players to the club, and wish them well for the remainder of the season!

News

BATTLE OF THE BIG CATS – LIONS VERSUS COUGARS!

TEAM NEWS AHEAD OF DOUBLE-HEADER

Following last weekend’s gut-wrenching last second defeat, further sad new comes in the shape of serious injuries suffered by half-back Will Roberts and hooker Josh Eaves at Newcastle. Both will miss the rest of the season, and indeed could be out for some considerable time.

Will was set to make his fourth DR appearance of the season against Keighley on Sunday (3pm), whilst Josh had been in excellent and consistent form throughout 2023. The best wishes of everyone connected with the Lions are of course extended to both players, and Will and Josh, together with their families, have been invited as special guests to our game against Keighley.

In more positive news, as we await the arrival of Keighley Cougars to Heywood Road, is that our eagerness in the loan market ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline has enabled us to find exciting replacements for Will and Josh.

Half-back Rob Butterworth from Wakefield Trinity, and hooker Cain Robb from Castleford Tigers are likely to feature. This pair were signed on loan deals on Thursday, as were Wakefield’s forward Dane Windrow, and the Hunslet hooker Nathan Conroy.

With Matty Foster available on DR from St Helens, and everyone else reporting fit from last week with the exception of the two mentioned above, it means Head Coach Allan Coleman will have the luxury of a selection headache, for what is quite clearly an extremely important game against the Cougars.

Mike Butt scored his 100^th try for the Lions last week up in the north-east, to become only the 13^th player in our entire history to achieve this fantastic milestone. Let’s hope he can start on his second century with immediate effect!

To make it a fantastic day of Rugby League at Heywood Road, there is also a Women’s Championship match between our Lionesses and Sheffield Eagles to enjoy (midday kick-off).

News

LIONESSES APPOINT NEW COACH

Steve Thirkell steps up

The club can now formally confirm that Steve Thirkell has been appointed as the Head Coach of our Swinton Lionesses!

Steve’s was the stand out job application, and no doubt all connected with the Lions and Lionesses will join us in wishing him every success.

In addition , we can confirm that Mark Robinson, an integral member of our Foundation’s coaching set up, has accepted the role of Lionesses assistant coach. So good luck to Mark also!

Our Lionesses are also looking to recruit in the following positions.

News

SWINTON LIONS HEAD COACH VACANCY

Swinton Lions RLFC invites immediate applications for the position of HEAD COACH.

Candidates must hold requisite coaching qualifications which satisfy RFL Operational Rules.

Please email particulars to [email protected]

News

ALLAN COLEMAN TO MOVE ON AT END OF SEASON

Lions’ Head Coach to join Widnes

Swinton Lions can confirm that our Head Coach Allan Coleman will be joining Widnes Vikings for the 2024 season.

Allan has been a fantastic coach for Swinton Lions and not someone we would wish to lose, but after he expressed a wish to take on a new challenge the Board reluctantly decided that we should respect his professional ambitions.

The immediate intention is that Allan will remain Head Coach until the end of the current season. However, to ease the transition of the change of Head Coach as far as is possible, we will begin the process of identifying a successor with immediate effect. As soon as there any developments with regards to the recruitment of a new Head Coach they will be announced via our official channels.

In the meantime the staff, players and Board remain fully focussed on the important job in hand, starting with the game against Keighley Cougars at Heywood Road this coming Sunday.