Barrow Raiders Ladies can today announce the appointment of Dan Cargan as the new assistant coach for their inaugural season in the Betfred Women’s Super League.
Cargan played rugby league from the age of four at his local amateur club, Roose Pioneers. He enjoyed three years in Wakefield’s academy before returning to Roose Pioneers. He also had a two-year stint playing in the former Barrow Raiders academy.
Retiring due to injuries, Cargan began coaching, earning his Level 2 Coaching Certificate and gaining experience in the Open Age and Youth game.
“I am really happy and excited to be the assistant coach and after meeting both Amanda Wilkinson and Steve Neale, I knew that it was going to be a great opportunity,” he said.
“Amanda’s knowledge and experience across the game as a whole is up there with the best of them and I am looking forward to working alongside her and the rest of the squad.
“There are strong foundations in place from last year that we are coming into and that is testament to the previous coaching staff and players and their commitments to the cause.”
On the new appointment, Ladies head coach Wilkinson said: “I am really looking forward to having Dan assist me with the Barrow Raider Ladies.
“Having grown up loving Barrow rugby and playing for Barrow as a young man, he has plenty of playing experience himself for this great club as well as a wealth of coaching knowledge from coaching in the local community.
“This being underpinned with his passion and drive, I’m excited to have him work alongside me in this new venture.
“It will be a new experience for us both, but when I met Dan a month back I felt we had so many similarities and values for the game and I think our coaching styles will complement each other.”
Barrow Raiders Ladies will be holding an open trial this Sunday, December 12, at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium.
Raiders extend the invite to the whole of Cumbria as the County’s only Super League representative and are particularly keen to attract athletes from different sporting backgrounds.
“The trials are going to be a great opportunity for all the talented players to demonstrate their individual abilities and passion to represent Barrow Raiders Ladies and the Betfred Super League,” Wilkinson added.
“We have attracted some ladies from other sports and it is great to see players having the chance of returning to play for a Cumbrian team at a competitive level.
“The Barrow Ladies current group is built up of Cumbrian girls with great skill, attitude and the desire to win and I want to build on this whilst growing the talent pool in the area.”