HUNSLET chief executive Neil Hampshire believes new director of rugby Keith Senior (pictured) can play a key role in the further development of coach Kyle Trout and his assistant Michael Knowles.
Former Super League forward Trout has been at the helm since June after being Dean Muir’s right-hand man as promotion from League One was won in 2024, when Knowles was a regular in the team.
Knowles then joined the coaching staff, gaining added responsibility when Trout took the reins after Muir parted company with the Leeds club in June as the step up to the second tier proved challenging (they finished bottom of the Championship).
While Trout and Knowles, at 34 and 38 respectively, are at the younger end of the age range in coaching terms, Hunslet see plenty of talent and potential in them.
So does Senior, the 49-year-old former Great Britain centre who had a long spell on the coaching staff at Sheffield before working at Bradford last season.
Appointed in the middle of last month, he explained: “So far I have spent a lot of time observing and getting to know people.
“We’re looking at building cultures and structures, and I’ve done a lot of talking with Kyle and Michael.
“Kyle has some brilliant ideas about coaching. I have been impressed listening to him.
“Maybe he can talk a little bit too much at times, and I think he knows that, so it’s about trying to rein things in a little bit, but things are positive, and pre-season has been going well.”
Hampshire said: “Keith’s addition is taking us to a different level, and I think things here are really exciting.
“Kyle, Michael and Keith have put a really good squad together on an improved budget, and there are one or two more signings in the pipeline.
“We will be stronger on the field this year. I think we are going to be more competitive.”
Hunslet open their league campaign at home to Dewsbury on Sunday, January 18.