Keighley Cougars have confirmed that head coach Matt Foster will remain with the club throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, after signing a new two-year deal with the club.

Coming over on an initial three-month period, the arrangement with Foster was open to the possibility of a longer stay, but it was always dependent on personal circumstances, with him having set up home on the Gold Coast out in Australia, where he had been coaching for the past decade.

But his commitment to this new deal means he continues to fulfil a lifelong dream of coaching a club close to his heart.

Foster said: “I am absolutely delighted to be staying on with Keighley Cougars long term.

“It's a fantastic club that I have had a long affiliation and love for as a player and now I get an opportunity to help grow the club as a coach with our ambitions aligned."

He added: “Our first job starts this week as we look to secure our place in the Betfred Championship and then that gives us the chance to create our own narrative in the coming weeks and months.

“The connections we create as a group are really important and with the two-year deal, we get to build on those connections to see what we can create down here at Cougar Park.

“I'm excited by that prospect and really looking forward to it.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A brilliant win for Cougars in their last home game against Batley means a win against Barrow this Sunday would go a long way towards securing survival in the Betfred Championship.A brilliant win for Cougars in their last home game against Batley means a win against Barrow this Sunday would go a long way towards securing survival in the Betfred Championship. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

Cougars’ chief operating officer, Steve Watkinson, said: “Matt’s been a great asset to the club in such a short space of time.

“The team have really bought into his coaching theories and he's running a great operation with his staff.

“We are all excited to see what he can do with a full pre-season.

“I must also thank the team at A1 Access Lifts for helping to support Matt with work outside the club to ensure he can fulfil his financial obligations in Australia while in the head coach position at Keighley.

“We are grateful for the support the A1 Lift & Mobility Group give to the club and are indebted to their loyalty.”

Foster will be sponsored by A1 Access Lifts and the club are urging all supporters and sponsors of the club to support the Keighley-based business.