Former Castleford Tigers coach Graham Steadman has joined Featherstone Rovers for 2024.
The former fullback started his career off at Huddersfield before playing for York but his best rugby came at Featherstone Rovers prior to a move to Castleford Tigers for a record fee in 1989, Steadman then going on to make over 200 appearances at the Jungle.
He also spent some time with Gold Coast in 1989 and was a Great Britain and Yorkshire representative but went on to coach Castleford Tigers from 2001-04. He made the play-offs in 2002 prior to an 8th place finish in 2003.
He has now joined Featherstone as a consultant. The club stated:
“We’re delighted to welcome Graham Steadman back to the club.
“The former GB international and international Rugby Union coach joins the coaching team in a short term consultancy role.”
Meanwhile, the club has also announced that one of the world’s leading brewers, Molson Coors Beverage Company (MCBC), has signed a four-year agreement to become an official pouring partner of the club.
The partnership will focus on promoting the Molson Coors portfolio, with Madri Excepcional, a multi-award-winning lager from La Sagra and Molson Coors, taking centre stage.
Under the agreement, MCBC will invest in new and upgraded bar facilities at The Millennium Stadium. The new facilities will go live for the first time next week and will be fully operational ahead of our two pre-season fixtures in January. MCBC is the third largest brewer in the world, with brands such as Carling & Coors, Madri Exceptional, Worthingtons, Cold River Cider and Carling Black Fruits.
The company already has a strong presence in the UK sports market, through partnerships with a host of top sports clubs. As the first UK brewer to make all its products from 100% green electricity, MCBC’s environmental credentials align with the Club’s own sustainability objectives. The Club has set a target and is well on the way to achieving its ambition to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030.
“We are very pleased to welcome MCBC and Madri Excepcional as a new partner to our stadium,” said Martin Vickers, Featherstone Rovers RLFC CEO. “MCBC prides itself on brewing beverages that unite people to celebrate all life’s moments, and in many ways, the Club does the same thing for fans on a matchday. Furthermore, the strong focus on premium, high-quality products, along with MCBC’s sustainability credentials, align closely with our values.
“The new bar and the upgrade to the existing facilities will make a marked improvement to the hospitality experience on both matchdays and non-matchdays. The existing facilities struggle to cope with demand, and this investment will improve the service and give us greater scope for both enhanced formal dining and less formal hospitality events.”
Alan Bunce, MCBC, said: “Our partnership with Featherstone Rovers RLFC feels like a perfect match. A Club with huge tradition and history, but one that mirrors our values, with restless ambition, and always looking at new and innovative ways to engage its fan base, and community.
“Our premium and extensive portfolio will allow the team at Featherstone Rovers RLFC to bring these to their fans, and with Madri Exceptional, we believe we have a brand that will delight the fans. We look forward to working with the team at Featherstone Rovers RLFC to bring the MCBC brands to life and what a way to kick off our new partnership ahead of the new season.”
