North Wales Crusaders are delighted to confirm the appointment of former England Academy international, Dave Hewitt, as Head Coach of our reserve and Women’s teams with immediate effect.
Working under the leadership of Carl Forster and Darren Morson in their roles heading up the player development pathway’s at the club, Hewitt, who’s own playing career saw him enjoy vast success at Oldham, Rochdale, Sheffield and Midlands, joins the club with immediate effect having been assistant coach at Salford Red Devils’ Women’s side this season.
Speaking about joining North Wales, Hewitt said: “First of all, I would just like to say a massive thank you Salford Women for allowing me to begin my journey in coaching, I didn’t expect to go into coaching so early after taking a break from playing, but I have thoroughly enjoyed helping the players there develop this year, they are a great group of people, players and staff, on and off the field.
“When I spoke to Carl, Bobby and Arun about the vision at Crusaders and where they see the club being in 12-18 months time and how I could be a big part of building and developing the women’s and the reserves side here, it became more and more of a no brainer.
“Also, taking that next step into a head coach role for me personally, I just felt it was the right time to do it and something that got me excited to be a part of.
“I’ve had exposure to the women’s game this season, and it is growing massively year on year, so to come in and be able to build a squad from the very start will be massive for us a club and for the sport, I am really looking forward to developing a team ready for next season.
“The reserves team I was involved with in training last week, and the game Sunday, they have had some exposure around the first-team this year and one player from the group has already had the opportunity to be in the squad for a game, that’s what we want to create as a club where the reserves gives you the stepping stone to go into the first-team, and that’s what I’m here for, to help them do that with the support from Carl and his coaching team.
“I can’t thank Carl enough for offering me the opportunity, there is a lot of great coaches out there in the game, but for Carl to select me is a great privilege, and I am really looking forward to getting stuck in for the rest of the year and into next year.”
Carl Forster added: “It’s great to bring Dave into the club.
“He’s a young coach keen to learn and has been around great systems in his playing career.
“When speaking to him, his willingness and ambition about the role was brilliant, he’s passionate about development of the women’s game which will be great for our club moving forward.”
Crusaders Chairman, Bobby Watkins, commented: “We are delighted to support Carl with the next step for the reserve and women’s teams set-up and we welcome Dave to Crusaders, we can’t wait to see the progress.”