Friday 11 July 2014 14:16, UK
All-but-relegated London Broncos have appointed Scotland international Andrew Henderson as assistant to head coach Joey Grima for the 2015 season.
Henderson, 35, has signed a two-year deal with the Broncos and will join up with them for pre-season training in November when he completes his commitments with current club Sheffield Eagles.
Henderson played for Salford, Castleford, Gateshead and Barrow before joining Sheffield at the end of the 2010 season and is currently combing his playing role with that of head of youth development.
"It's a fantastic opportunity to be part of a club that is as ambitious as I am and wants to do things right to be successful," said Henderson, who will hang up his boots for the final time before moving to London.
"I'm ready to coach now and glad I've made this decision. It has certainly been challenging being a first-team player and trying to work with our youth teams.
"However, the experience that I have gained from my time at Sheffield has given me the grounding I need to take this next step in my coach development."
Henderson looks certain to still be working in the Championship in 2015 with Broncos, whose relegation from Super League will be confirmed on Sunday if they lose at Warrington and Salford beat Hull on Saturday night after failing to win a single game all season.
Grima said: "I've known Hendo from my days in Australia. He's a skill-based coach who has come up through a similar development pathway as myself, so we understand each other on a number of levels.
"He really understands where I want to take the club over the next two years.
"Having played NRL with the Tigers and Super League with a couple of clubs, he's going to give us a really good understanding of the style of play that can be adapted as well as incorporating our own style.
"In the last couple of seasons he's played for Gateshead and Sheffield which is going to give me outstanding intelligence on the players we're likely to be playing against next season."
Sheffield chief executive and head coach Mark Aston said: "We would like to express our thanks to Hendo for all he has done for the club and of course wish him every success with his new venture.
"I am sure he will have a long and successful career ahead of him as a coach."
