HULL FC have made some major changes to their performance and medical departments with the aim of ending the injury woes of recent years.
The MKM Stadium club haven’t tasted play-off rugby since 2020, with the lack of player availability identified as a contributing factor.
As a result, alongside significant arrivals at the top of the coaching chain – former England boss Steve McNamara is taking over as head coach, and Scott Taylor is joining as an assistant from Goole Vikings – further additions have been made.
They include the hire of Jimmy McDaniel (above), who was part of Hull KR’s treble-winning campaign last year, as head of performance, replacing the long-serving Tom Bennett.
Dave Ferguson will return to Hull from Leeds Rhinos as head physiotherapist, while former England physio Nathan Mill joins as high performance specialist from St Helens.
Head physio Andy Shea, sports scientist Will Witter, and strength and conditioning coach Jon Humby are all leaving the department.
They join director of rugby and wellbeing Gareth Ellis and Castleford Tigers-bound assistant Simon Grix in moving on from the club staff.
Chief executive Richie Myler said: “This is a major step forward for the club and demonstrates our ambition.
“Our performance and medical provision required significant change and further investment, so we are putting stronger structures, systems and standards in place to improve player availability, reduce injuries and help our players perform consistently at their best.
“Jimmy, Dave and Nathan are outstanding in their respective fields. They bring experience from leading environments in the game and share our ambition to build something special at Hull FC.
“Dave understands what Hull FC means and what success here looks like. Having been part of our 2016 Challenge Cup winning staff, he returns with greater experience after leading Leeds Rhinos’ medical provision.
“Alongside Steve McNamara and our other backroom additions, we believe we are assembling a first-class group capable of transforming this into one of rugby league’s best performance and medical departments.”