Wednesday 17 September 2014 16:25, UK
Whitehaven have appointed former Catalan Dragons boss Steve Deakin as their new head coach.
He replaces former Castleford coach Dave Woods, who left the Championship club at the end of the 2014 season.
Deakin was recently released from his role as coach of the Dragons’ feeder club in Perpignan to enable him to return to England for family reasons.
"I'm very excited about the job," said Deakin.
"The Championship next year is going to be probably the toughest competition that it's ever been so it's very, very exciting."
Deakin was assistant coach of London, Huddersfield and Sheffield before taking charge of the Dragons in 2003.
He was relieved of his duties on the eve of the club's entry into Super League in 2006 but returned to work for their reserve team St Esteve.
Whitehaven are currently ninth in the Championship having won 13 of their 26 games this season.
