Super League ref Silverwood joins Stags’ coaching team

Mirfield Stags have appointed international referee Richard Silverwood and Simon Hagger as their coaches for next season.

Hagger is currently coaching Pennine League side St Josephs but will join the Stags when the current winter season ends.

Hagger previously assisted former Rams head coach Warren Jowitt for four years in the Kingstone Press Championship, while also overseeing the club’s reserve side.

As a player, he enjoyed stints with Dewsbury Moor, Shaw Cross Sharks, Ossett Trinity and the Rams’ second string.

Silverwood has spent more than 14 years refereeing at the highest level, officiating almost 350 Super League games, three Challenge Cup finals, three Grand Finals and a World Cup Final.

The Mirfield-born duo are plotting a bright future for the Stags, who were founded last month.

Silverwood said: “I feel very honoured to be taking up the role alongside Simon.

“This is a proud moment for me, having lived in Mirfield all of my life.

“To be able to help develop this team and hopefully make this a club the local community can be proud of, is something I am looking forward to getting my teeth into.

“The return of rugby league to Mirfield is long overdue and the response to the Stags’ birth shows that.

“The professional approach and ambitions of the club’s founders are what drew me in and, in years to come, it would be great to have a junior pathway in place, through to a successful first team.

Hagger is hoping to instil a winning mentality from the start, adding: “I think there is a huge amount of potential for rugby league in Mirfield and that was ultimately what got my interest.

“These are exciting times and I feel honoured to be leading the club into its first-ever season, alongside Richard – who I have known for many years.

“We have an opportunity to create a legacy, something for Mirfield to be proud of.”

The Stags have also teamed up with Mirfield-based Boom Marketing, who will provide the club’s website.

The company are playing a key role in organising the club’s official launch, which takes place this Friday, from 7.30pm, at The Railway pub in Mirfield.