Huddersfield Giants saw an era come to an end when Leroy Cudjoe retired and now the Super League stalwart has spoken on his new career after taking on a coaching role with the club.
Cudjoe, who debuted for the Giants back in 2008 and spent his entire career at Huddersfield, had spent time working in the club’s pathway system as well as training with the academy and scholars so it’s not a wholly new experience.
Ahead of 2026, he’s been appointed as an assistant coach to Luke Robinson, alongside Liam Finn, whilst also taking on the role of Pathway Transition Manager.
Just months into those roles with Huddersfield and Cudjoe has now spoken on how it’s gone post-playing career, speaking to club media whilst out in Tenerife at the Giants’ warm weather training camp.
“It’s a lot different being on the other side, physically my body isn’t getting bashed about,” he joked, adding: “I’m really enjoying the coaching side, it’s passion of mine especially working with the younger players and helping them develop.”
Huddersfield Giants legend Leroy Cudjoe talks coaching transition
Huddersfield have seen a string of young talents come through their ranks and the club’s 2025 injury crisis meant that a few of those youngsters were exposed to first-team rugby last year.
Working with those players, Cudjoe believes there is more to come as he showered praise on those players for turning up in pre-season.
He explained: “The young lads this year have been really good, they’ve come in and ripped in straight away and that’s all we ask. They all have areas they have to be better at and improve on but overall I can’t fault their attitude and commitment. They’ve thrown themselves into a tough schedule with the first team and doing brilliantly.”
As for his role as assistant coach, familiarity with the club and system has helped with Cudjoe admitting: “I’ve always had a good relationship with Robbo and last year I’ve built a good relationship with Finny too so we’ve all clicked straight away.
“I’m always learning every day from them both, we are constantly bouncing ideas and opinion off each other which I take a lot from.”
Looking ahead to 2026 and his aims, he said: “In 2026 I just want to learn and grow as a person and coach, I want to help the club improve on and off the field.
“We have some talented youngster’s that Steve Fox & Chris Cullimore have and are developing so I’d enjoy seeing some of them make debuts and the ones who did debut last year get another few games under their belt.”
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