England Wheelchair appoint new coaching staff ahead of World Cup

England Wheelchair have appointed a new coaching staff ahead of next year’s World Cup, with Tom Coyd named as head of the structure.

The 24-year-old currently coaches the Argonauts Wheelchair side as well as being part of the Medway Dragons club in Kent, and will replace Mark Roughsedge, who has taken up a new role with Scotland.

His father, Martin Coyd OBE, is the General Manager of England Wheelchair Rugby League, while his younger brother Joe is a member of the current England playing squad.

Coyd will be assisted by Wayne Boardman of Halifax and Martyn Rothwell from Sheffield Hallam University, both of whom have plenty of experience in the sport.

They will also be given specific coaching support by two members of the England Performance Unit, in the shape of Stuart Barrow, who is a highly regarded Coach Developer, and Professor Ben Jones, the EPU’s Head of Performance.

“It’s hard to express how honoured I feel in being appointed as Head Coach of the England Wheelchair Rugby League team,” Coyd said. “To be able to represent my country in a sport I am so proud to be a part of is a privilege.

“I am now in my third year with this group and we are poised on the edge of something special. The players and our staff are a wonderful group of driven people, and I take great pleasure in working with them.

“This World Cup has come at the perfect time for us, as the strength of the sport in England is increasing exponentially with fantastic support from the RFL and the EPU.

“I’m not sure how many people can say they get this opportunity alongside their father and brother, and I am determined to squeeze every last drop out of it. I can’t wait to see our country get behind us – we will do all we can to make them proud.”

Dave Rotheram, the RFL’s Chief On-Field Officer, added: “Tom has been an assistant coach since the beginning of 2018 and is highly regarded by the players, and impressed everyone with his work in France and Australia.

“This has been underlined with excellent leadership and innovation during the current period of restriction.

“Wayne Boardman has been a key member of the team for several years and given his considerable experience as a wheelchair athlete, has been appointed to assist Tom.

“Martyn Rothwell completes the coaching team, bringing huge experience and knowhow, with further support from Ben Jones and Stuart Barrow, who has focused increasingly on the England Wheelchair and Women programmes in his role with the Performance Unit.”