Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont explains Keiron Purtill’s surprise return to the club

Yesterday Leigh Leopards announced the exciting appointment of former Huddersfield Giants and St Helens assistant coach Kieron Purtill as head of their academy and women’s team.

Speaking after the announcement, Leigh owner Derek Beaumont commented on why the former head coach of the club has returned in this role.

Reading his comments, it’s again clear to see that the club are committed to making the necessary off field developments to please IMG:

“Kieron is someone I have always held in high regard and is highly respected within the game. His attention to detail and work ethic are second to none and he has a wealth of experience, working with some of the game’s best coaches, including leading our own team in recent years where I got to see him operate first hand.

“I have always had a vision for Kieron to be the person to build our academy which is something I have always craved. Whilst we do not have permission yet to operate an academy, I feel it’s vital to appoint Kieron to start building the infrastructure and to inject the community clubs with his knowledge and skills and to build on the under-14/15s programme we started this year.

“Whilst he builds towards a fully operating academy structure, he will take charge of the Leigh Leopards Women’s team which is a massive coup for us and our vision of reaching Super League 1. The former Miners Women’s team, which I know well and have sponsored from the onset, have some really committed and skilful players and adding such a high calibre coach to them will be a significant step forward in reaching our goals.

“I am really pleased to be able to bring Kieron back to the club as I was disappointed when we lost him through miscommunication when I was on holiday, but I am sure the additional experience gained during his time at Widnes and Hull FC will bring even more benefit to us.

“Kieron is a long term appointment and will be fully supported in building a successful women’s Super League 1 competitive team and to establish with guidance from the RFL a Category A Academy to bring the vast amount of talent that is being nurtured by our outstanding community clubs.”