JOSH Chapman takes a weekly look behind the scenes at Keighley Cougars.

KEIGHLEY Cougars Women continue to go from strength to strength following the appointment of Nathan Barnes.

Barnes, a former Keighley Cougars Cub player, is the latest addition to the backroom staff following the appointments of the new coaching duo, Dean Muir and Mickey Hurley, last month.

Previously working with the youth teams at Bradford City and various roles in Newcastle during his university studies, Barnes works in the gym at Keighley Leisure Centre after earning an MSC in Strength & Conditioning at Leeds Beckett University.

And as both a fan of rugby league and the Cougars, the UK Strength and Conditioning Association member is now ready to assist Muir and Hurley in their Super League ambitions.

His role as strength and conditioning coach will be similar to that of Paul Royston with the men’s first and reserves sides at the club, and the Cougars Squadbuilder member is looking forward to getting started next Monday night.

“I really want to build into the squad the strength and conditioning of professional teams,” said Barnes.

“I’m a believer in that champions are made in the gym as well as on the field and what I’m looking for from the players is the ability to work hard, have a good work ethic and have both honesty and discipline with me and themselves.

“I, like Dean and Mickey are too, am aiming to achieve success both on and off the field and the only way we can do that is if the players buy into the project.”

Women’s head coach Dean Muir added: “It is exciting times to be included with the women’s team at Cougar Park.

“We are on a journey to the Women’s Super League and Nathan will be an important part of this and off the field we have everything in place to be really competitive at the top of the women’s game in this country.

“The staff we now have in place are working hard to make sure this journey we’re on is a positive one and anybody who wants to be involved are more than welcome to get in touch.”

For more information on the women’s team and how to join, contact the club through its social media channels or email player performance manager Frank Levy on fl@keighley-cougars.direct.