11:48am Thursday 20th March 2008
Former Cleckheaton player-coach Craig West has been confirmed as the head coach of Rotherham Titans on a permanent-basis.
The Clifton Lane veteran joined in a caretaker capacity in November and was formerly appointed this week after presenting his strategy for next season and beyond to the club's management board.
Titans board member Allan McHale said: "Craig has an enormous number of strengths and understands the demands of both this league and the aspirations of the club.
"He will assemble a coaching and playing squad which will enable us to compete at the top end of this division next year."
West continues to hold talks with current squad members and potential new recruits as he looks to build his team for next season.
He enjoyed a distinguished playing career, scoring 25 tries in 137 league appearances.
West worked in the club's community department from 2003 before launching the Rotherham Rugby Academy in 2005. He coached Dinnington Colts to two National Cup finals before joining Cleck-heaton as assistant coach at the start of this season.
He accepted his dream job' at Rotherham in November and also coaches the Yorkshire Under-20s representative side.