ged stokes

Whitehaven pulled off a major pre-season coup yesterday, recruiting former Halifax playmaker Mick Govin on a one-year deal. Govin scored a scintillating try in last month's Championship Grand Final defeat against Barrow and was named Fax's man-of-the-match by the Rugby League Express. But he was later released after the ambitious Yorkshire outfit signed former Australian Schoolboy international Luke Branighan.

He can be very, very good for us   -Ged Stokes

 

WHITEHAVEN have signed promising teenager Mark Watson on a two-year pro deal. The 17-year-old was a stand-out performer for the club's reserve-grade last term and it's believed he has every chance of stepping up to senior level. Head of performance Gary Hewer said: "In my view you can't have enough half-back/hookers who can offer a different dimension.

He’s been successful at rugby league and rugby union   -Nigel Beaty

 

SKIPPER Leroy Joe is still capable at 35 of punching his weight in the Championship next term, reckons Whitehaven boss Ged Stokes. The coach has no concerns that the Kiwi veteran will struggle to last the pace next season after ending 2009 by winning virtually every major honour at the club's presentation night. "It's no secret that Leroy's the heart of the team," said Stokes, who appointed Joe captain last year.  

PLAYMAKER Carl Rudd is raring to launch Whitehaven's pre-season campaign after finally declaring his injury nightmare over. The stand-off has been plagued by knee trouble since suffering an injury in the Challenge Cup defeat at Wigan in May 2008, undergoing a series of operations and missing last year's pre-season programme. But he is confident his woes are finally behind him.

This will be my first pre-season for two or three years and it will make a massive difference   -Carl Rudd

 

DEPARTED star Danny Barker has been offered a route back to professional rugby league by Whitehaven boss Ged Stokes. The back-rower rejected a chance to stay at the Recre last month and returned to the amateur ranks with his old amateur club Glasson. But Stokes stressed that the door is still open for the 20-year-old, who he believes has the potential to make the grade at Championship level.  

THE Serbian RL team have hailed their warm west Cumbrian welcome as they prepare for their European Cup opener in Ireland on Sunday. The Serbs, coached by Haven boss Ged Stokes, have used St Bees as a training base this week. And team manager Nebojsa Spetenovic has been delighted with the reception from rugby-loving locals.  

Ex-Great Britain, Leeds and Hull prop Lee Crooks will be special guest at a fund-raising sportsman's dinner for popular Whitehaven forward Howard Hill's testimonial. The event will be held on Friday, October 23, at the town's Marchon Club. And organisers are hoping for another great turn-out for the long-serving star. "It's been an excellent response to Howard's testimonial so far," said Des Byrne.

He was very valuable to us in that he could play a number of roles   -Ged Stokes

 

WHITEHAVEN are planning a coach trip to Leeds – to discover what makes the Rhinos one of the world's top rugby league clubs. A Haven contingent, led by head coach Ged Stokes, will visit Headingley in January, on the eve of the new campaign. Stokes said: "I'm a great believer that you retain 80 per cent of what you see, and for us as coaches to look right through the Leeds programme, from scholarship to junior Academy, right up to the first-team, and how they work on a day-to-day basis, will be extreme

I’m a great believer that you retain 80 per cent of what you see, and for us as coaches to look right through the Leeds programme, from scholarship to junior Academy, right up to the first-team, and how they work on a day-to-day basis, will be extremely beneficial to our club.   -Ged Stokes

 

WHITEHAVEN plan to power ahead in the pre-season – with help from a new fitness and strength conditioner. The club has advertised for a qualified conditioner to start work with the squad in November as they launch preparations for the 2010 campaign. "The conditioner will work with our young scholarship players and reserve-grade, as well as the elite first-team players," said head of performance Gary Hewer.  

Aussie recruit Dylan Skee is being tipped to be a success at Whitehaven – by former Recre favourite Rob Purdham. Skee was a regular in Harlequins' second-string this year, and Quins skipper Purdham reckons he will thrive at the Recreation Ground. "He's a good player and will be a better one playing more challenging rugby," said Purdham.

He’s a good player and will be a better one playing more challenging rugby   -Rob Purdham