THE community presence of the Keighley Cougars continues to grow after a successful weekend of initiatives on and off the field.

On the field, the first team recorded a much-needed victory over Newcastle Thunder with seven players featuring who have come through either the club's reserves or scholarship programme.

Returning Hall of Famer James Feather was joined by Josh Lynam, Davey Dixon, Harry Aaronson, Aaron Levy, Christopher Cullimore and debutant Alfie Seeley, who scored with his first touch of the ball.

Off the field, Saturday saw Olivia Chester and Chelsey Holder from the Cougars Women’s team in attendance at the Rugby League Cares heritage event at City Hall in Bradford.

The pair was joined by players of the Bradford Bulls Women’s team as the two clubs join forces for the Bradford bid to host games at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

If the bid is successful, it means Cougar Park will become a host venue for the 2021 Women’s Rugby League World Cup and will also bring grants into the club to aid towards the development of the club's women’s team.

On Sunday, local junior side Silsden Storm took place in the curtain raiser ahead of the first team as they faced the Gateshead Storm.

The game was fiercely contested and Silsden dominated throughout to record a 32-6 victory over their visitors from the north-east.

Members from the Keighley Albion ‘Antz’ were also in attendance on the afternoon to provide the mascots for both the Cougars and the Thunder.

All members of the ‘Antz’ side were treated to a meet and greet with members of the Cougars first team prior to the game and all 27 members of the team were given a rugby ball that was kindly supplied by Warren from Cougars sponsors Sign & Design.

Also joining the two Storm outfits and the ‘Antz’ were the First Kildwick and Farmhill Beaver Scout Group who took part in the second edition of the ‘My Home Debut’ initiative launched by new Cougars General manager Steve Gill ahead of last month’s home fixture against Hunslet.

The Cougars are on the lookout for a new head coach for the women’s side ahead of big changes to the team in 2019.

If you would be interested in the position, post subject to an enhanced DBS, please email your CV and salary expectations to player performance manager Frank Levy at fl@keighley-cougars.direct