Whitehaven have wasted no time in appointing a successor to Gary Charlton as head coach for the 2022 season.
With Charlton confirmed as the director of rugby, the directors moved quickly to discuss the vacancy with assistant coach Jonty Gorley and he has accepted.
The new man has not only been a major part of the outstanding on-field performance of the club over the past three seasons, but is also someone who is held in high regard throughout the rugby league fraternity.
On his appointment Gorley, 50, said: “I am privileged and excited to be taking over as head coach at Whitehaven. It’s a great personal honour for me to be considered and approached to be head coach of this club.
“I didn’t think I would ever get the chance to be a head coach, so I am really looking forward to the challenge. I would like to thank the club’s Board for giving me this opportunity.
“It obviously helps that I am already at the club, knowing the lads, the backroom staff, the directors and how the club works.
“We have already started putting together a squad that I feel will compete and build on from this season, and at this point we’ve got 18 already committed to the club, with hopefully another couple agreeing by the end of this week.
“I have been involved with professional rugby league for eight years now as an assistant coach and before that I spent a good 12 years-plus involved with local community clubs, scholarships and academies.
“I’ve worked under some great coaches who have taught me a lot, be that when I was playing or coaching, and this will stand me in good stead for the job ahead.
“I can’t wait to get started in the role now and see what we can achieve at this club.”
Charlton, who has turned Haven from a League One outfit into a highly respected Championship unit, is confident Haven have made the right choice.
He said: “Jonty will seamlessly fit into the head coaching role. He is well educated in coaching rugby league and he has the personality to make a really good job of it.
“He is respected by the players and I can only see him doing a fantastic job for Whitehaven.”
On the appointment, director Gary Eilbeck said: “Jonty was the natural choice for us as a board. He is a fantastic coach on the field and a true rugby league gentleman off it.
“We wish Jonty all the best and of course will continue to support him, as we always have, to the very best of our ability as a club”.
