Tigers welcome Pullan, Watson and Richardson

Head Coach Matty Faulkner makes three additions to his coaching team, bringing in Paul Watson and Rob Richardson as his two Assistant Coaches and Jack Pullan as his Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Tigresses.

A previous player of the game and heavily involved with local community club Cutsyke Raiders where he coaches the boys under 16’s and men’s open age team, Paul Watson brings heaps of value to the Fords. Interestingly, Paul was a figure in the original setup of Castleford Tigers Ladies, and he is thrilled to be back with the side six years later.

“I was really excited when Matty mentioned the opportunity to me and it’s great to be working alongside him. You’re learning things every time you train and play so I can’t wait for the season to get fully underway.

“The fact that we are under the radar and that the players have bonded really well this early is why we could shock some people.

“I was pleased and proud of the girls on Sunday against Wakefield. We looked good with the ball and I’m sure we’ll go onto the next match and keep improving.”

Supporting Paul will be Rob Richardson – a familiar face within the Foundation for the Learning Disability side who he coached as well as his involvement with the Tigers Talent Pathway. Following six years at the Club, Rob stepped away due to work circumstances and covid-19 but the vacancy for the Women’s Assistant Coach pricked up Rob’s ears as it fitted in with his commitments outside of the Club, as well as his keen interest for the game.

Rob is too involved with Cutsyke, but the Raidettes, where he coached the under 12’s right through to the under 16’s which ended last year. Additionally, he has worked with the RFL on their England Talent Pathway for the girls – an opportunity that further sparked his attention to the women’s game. The appointment to the Tigresses was pleasing for Rob and he has been impressed with what he has seen so far.

“We know where we are coming from and they’re a fresh group, but the girls and women are buying into what we want them to buy into and that’s the key to it.

“It’s not about sprinting straight away. It’s about putting your boots on and putting the hard work in, getting there slowly but surely. I’ve been impressed with their attitudes more than anything and their willingness to dig in for each other.”

The Fords lost their first competitive match of the season last week against Wakefield Trinity in the first set of group matches of the Challenge Cup. Positive about the build-up of the squad and its general togetherness, Rob spoke about the squads’ realistic goals for the season.

“I think if we get to the end of the year and the girls are all stood side by side with their arms round one another, then that will be a success.

“That is what this club is all about; being a family and being a unit. I think that will be a big goal and success story come the end of the season.”

The final appointment is Jack Pullan – a Sports Science student from Leeds Beckett who will be gaining vital work experience in perfect preparation for his master’s degree which he looks to begin following his third year.

Jack was introduced to his first insight of matchday’s on the weekend where he carried messages onto the pitch from the sideline as well as ensuring interchanges were stretched off and ready to go on. Speaking about his position with the Tigresses, Jack said: “It’s one thing to come in and test the players for an hour or two, it’s another to become a strength and conditioning coach.

“For me personally, the opportunity will allow me to improve my confidence but also understand what I am like as a coach through the communication and ideas that I implement.

“With Castleford being a big club and carrying huge amounts of opportunity, I was very happy when I was told I could work here. I hope that I can help the team this year and push on to success.”