New Coaching Team at Keighley RUFC

Keighley RUFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Dave Duxbury as their new Head Coach and James Cunliffe as Assistant Coach.

Duxbury joins the club from neighbours Skipton where he has been Head Coach for the last two years. Prior to that he was Head Coach at West Park Leeds and Baildon having gained promotion with all three clubs and taken Baildon to Twickenham twice.

James Cunliffe who joins from Bradford Salem has been coaching there for two seasons and coaches with Yorkshire Carnegie’s successful Junior Development Squad. As a player, James has played his rugby at Wharfedale and York RI while at University, and has been at Salem since 2012, captaining the side in 2013/14 and 2014/15 when Salem went undefeated for the season, winning promotion to Yorkshire 1 and won the Yorkshire shield.

Director of Rugby Russ Gibson said “This is an important appointment for the club, following Dan and Hamish stepping down we needed a seamless transition into the 2017/18 season which Dave and James will bring, they have wholeheartedly bought into what we are about and are excited about the forthcoming season.

Dux has enjoyed success throughout his coaching career and his appointment will continue the work over the last two season which is getting the best out of players through player development and has experience with playing on a 3G pitch with West Park which will be invaluable as we transition from grass to an artificial pitch this coming season.

James will have responsibility for the Forwards and will also take on the Strength and Conditioning role, he is also eager to keep playing and will bring a wealth of experience into the squad.”

Dave Duxbury said “I see it as great opportunity to work at a club which I know well, on a personal note it feels like I have come full circle as I played all my junior rugby at the old ground!! The club has a strong group both on and off the field helping with the continued development of local talent, we can’t place enough emphasis on the importance of the integration of the Keighley Developing Player Programme players into the senior section to continue this work.”

James Cunliffe said 'I’m excited for the opportunity to work with Dux and coach at the club that my Dad played at. The infrastructure, senior playing base, junior set up and the Keighley DPP system was a massive factor in the decision-making process. A great, forward thinking club for me to develop as a coach and to develop the brand of rugby at the Keighley RUFC”

Welcome to Rose Cottage Dave and James.

Updated 19:40 - 2 Sep 2019 by Russ Gibson