The Rugby Football League have come to an agreed decision with Alan Kilshaw after a compliance investigation.
Former Swinton Lions head coach Kilshaw has agreed to a three-month suspension of his coaching licence, a charge that is suspended for 12 months.
Kilshaw resigned from his role as head coach of Swinton Lions after the then-Championship outfit lost to Hunslet in the play-off decider that saw the Lions relegated to League One.
He had been under investigation for a possible breach of the sport’s Operational Rules after Swinton’s game against Widnes Vikings in July.
Widnes launched a complaint after their player Nick Gregson had taken to social media to share images of himself with a noose photoshopped around his neck, alleging that they’d been found in Swinton’s dressing room.
Whilst a tribunal date was set for October, that date came and went before a resolution was confirmed this week.
Rugby League coach handed suspended ban
Kilshaw, who has since landed a coaching role Down Under with Oakey Bears, has agreed to a three-month suspension of his licence, suspended for 12 months, as first confirmed by the RFL.
A statement by the RFL read: “Alan Kilshaw, the former head coach of Swinton Lions, has agreed to a three-month suspension of his RFL coaching licence, suspended for 12 months (until December 1, 2025), following a compliance investigation into a possible breach of the Operational Rules at a Betfred Championship fixture against Widnes Vikings in July.
“The sanction is reflective of this being an Agreed Decision.
“In a summary of Mr Kilshaw’s submissions which have informed this decision, the RFL states that he accepts his responsibility as head coach for the governance of the changing room and staff, and that he is remorseful and has been affected, along with his family and reputation, by the process.”
The summary includes the following passage: “Mr Kilshaw has learned from this incident, and it has brought to light the need for all coaches in the sport to consider all communications and coaching methods to ensure they do not risk offence or being misinterpreted by other participants or the public.”
He will now set about in his role as Director of Coaching and Development with Queensland-based club Oakey, who had confirmed his appointment last week.
