Barrow Raiders Ladies head coach Amanda Wilkinson is among four coaches to have achieved Level 4 status as part of the RFL’s Coach Programme.
She is the only woman, joining Midlands Hurricanes head coach Mark Dunning; Danny Barton, a key member of Paul Rowley’s coaching team at Salford Red Devils working with their academy and reserve teams, and Chris Spurr, the RFL’s community coach development manager who is also the Castleford Tigers Academy head coach.
Richard Tunningley, the RFL’s coach education manager, has also highlighted the progress of two current players, Leroy Cudjoe and Adam Sidlow, who have completed their Level 3 qualification as part of the RFL’s Player to Coach programme.
Prop Sidlow, 36, played 18 games for Workington Town early in his career on loan from Widnes, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances.
Tunningley said: “Developing coaches is a vital part of the work of the RFL, and we are delighted to have supported some outstanding people in securing these qualifications.
“The strategy for women’s and girls’ rugby league needs more women who are qualified to coach at the highest level. Amanda Wilkinson has an excellent pedigree in the sport, and the success of Barrow Raiders Ladies in earning promotion to the Betfred Women’s Super League and then competing so strongly in their debut season is further evidence of her potential.
“I’m delighted that she is among the nominees for the Coach of the Year award, giving her a second reason to celebrate alongside her Level 4 qualification.”
For any women wanting to follow in the footsteps of Amanda, the RFL are running a first-ever Female Coaching Conference at Boundary Park in Oldham on Saturday 19 October – this will be held before the Women’s Origin match.
