Hull FC have confirmed that Head of Youth Pete Riding has left the club by mutual consent as the Black and Whites continue their shakeup ahead of the 2025 season.
It’s been a poor season on the field and that’s seen plenty of change off the field for Hull FC, starting with the head coach. Tony Smith was sacked after a run of torrid results with assistant Simon Grix taking interim charge.
FC have remedied that problem and hired John Cartwright to take charge from the 2025 season, appointing the Brisbane Broncos’ assistant coach on a three-year deal.
The man who oversaw that deal was the newly-appointed Director of Rugby Richie Myler, whilst there’s also been a Chief Executive change with James Clark departing the club as well.
Pete Riding is now the latest to depart as Hull FC continues their restructuring with the Head of Youth leaving by mutual consent following a two-and-a-half-year stint with the club.
Senior coach departs Hull FC
Credit: Imago Images
Hull FC confirmed the news of Riding’s departure via their social media channels, his exit being announced on a tumultuous day for the club after the earlier release of new signing Treigh Stewart following allegations of domestic abuse.
Posting on the club website, a statement regarding Riding reads: “Hull FC can confirm that Head of Youth Pete Riding has left the club by mutual consent.
“Riding leaves the club after two-and-a-half years leading the club’s Centre of Excellence youth programme.
“During his tenure with the Black & Whites, Riding has overseen major success having restructured the pathway, which now features no less than 13 individual teams, and hundreds of young players.”
Not only do Hull FC now boast plenty of youngsters at the underage level, but the senior squad is littered with homegrown talent too, many of whom have been rep-signed to new deals. Only yesterday Davy Litten signed a new two-year contract, with the back namechecked by the club as a “testament to the tireless work” of Riding and his team.
Quiz: Can you name every Super League Young Player of the Year?
Black and Whites to use Riding’s blueprint going forward
Credit: Imago Images
The club’s statement also shared quotes from the departing Riding and chairman Adam Pearson, with Riding explaining his decision to depart the club.
He said: “The pathways which are now in place, and the changes made to the recruitment strategy, will serve the club well going forward and will be the foundation for its future success and sustained growth.
“With the arrival of Richie (Myler) as the club’s Director of Rugby, and the direction in which he wants to take the club’s youth programme,I feel the time is right to hand over the day-to-day running of the Centre of Excellence to an internal restructure headed by Richie.”
“I feel comfortable that I leave the club’s youth pathway in a much stronger position than when I arrived at the club.”
Chairman Adam Pearson added: “I would like to thank Pete for all his hard work and commitment in re-energising and restructuring our youth pathway from top to bottom.
“We are resourced and well-managed to take his blueprint forward to ensure a successful academy structure that continues to produce the Super League players of tomorrow.
“I and everyone at the club wish Peter well for his next professional challenge in Rugby League.”
