Leigh Centurions have put faith in head coach Neil Jukes by signing him to a new two-and-a-half year contract.
Jukes replaced former head coach Paul Rowley on the eve of the season and has guided the Centurions to four wins, a draw and a defeat in his opening six games in charge.
Jukes said: “It is a huge honour to be head coach of Leigh Centurions and I am really privileged to be holding this position at this great club. The potential here is even greater for us to go on and achieve great things.
“I’d like to thank the back room staff and the current players for all their support and together we aim to improve the on-field and off-field performances and move forward together. If you turn up each day and work hard with a smile on your face you have a chance to succeed in whatever job you are doing. That’s something we all do at this club and we are a really happy, committed and determined group with a real family feel.
“Most of all I’d like to thank Derek and the other board members for all their help and support which has been fantastic. All the directors are really committed to the club and we are a very united group on and off the field. I am confident we can move forward together and achieve our goals.”
Derek Beaumont added: “Neil is a great bloke and is really easy to work with. I have seen first-hand his knowledge and ability over the last two years so didn’t doubt that. He has been full-time at the club for some time and involved as a coach at the club for around seven years.
“What I have been really impressed with are his management skills and his honesty to his principals in dealing with situations. The way he has dealt with the past few weeks was what has left me in no doubt he is the man for the job. He is likeable, fun and friendly and has the complete respect and support of the boys and his backroom team which I think is evident by the way they have ground out the results for him.”
Meanwhile, assistant coach Paul Anderson and strength & conditioning duo Nathan Pennington and Paul Wood have also signed new contracts.
