NEWCASTLE THUNDER CONFIRM COATES CAPTURE

Academy graduate re-joins from London Broncos until the end of 2022

Home-grown half-back Dan Coates has returned to the Newcastle Thunder ranks for 2022, after making a mid-season move from London Broncos to Kingston Park Stadium.

The 21-year-old returns to his native North East with immediate effect and is eligible for selection in this weekend’s Betfred Championship round six clash with Dewsbury Rams.

Initially offered a trial with Newcastle after finding game time limited with the capital club, Coates attitude and application has seen Thunder move to secure his services for the rest of the season.

His return to the club makes a welcome addition to the contingent of local lads playing for Thunder, with the 2022 squad now boasting six graduates of the club’s academy in the ranks.

A graduate of the club’s academy, Coates progressed through the ranks of Thunder’s youth set up before making his first team debut in 2019 in the 1895 Cup win over Keighley Cougars.

Making five appearances in total in his first season in the first team squad, he was retained for the 2020 season and featured in matches for Newcastle’s reserve grade before the year was lost to the Covid 19 pandemic.  

Having had his first taste of senior rugby, 2021 saw Coates sign for Betfred League 1 side Coventry Bears in search of regular game time and saw him shine for the Midlanders over the course of the season.

Setting the Bears’ record for points scored in a season, the Bowburn-born talent showed his skills with both boot and ball in hand as he scored 147 points with eight tries, five penalties, one drop goal and 52 conversions.

Re-establishing himself with Thunder, his signing strengthens the half-back options for Denis Betts and Eamon O’ Carroll, with Thunder’s head coach happy to have added another local player into the club’s roster.

Head Coach Eamon O’ Carroll said: “Initially we were looking for some depth in that half-back area and we are well aware of Coatesy from being in this environment before and I like that he has backed himself and took himself out of his comfort zone and gone to experience different environments.

“The other staff are telling me that he has come back a much better player for it and he has been impressive this week and is in contention to play at the weekend.

“He is going to add competition for places and is set to do some learning, but you can tell he is a really capable player and I am really looking forward to working with him.”

Coates said: “It’s good to be back and it feels like I am back home. The move back came about quite quickly, the London thing wasn’t quite working out and then there was a chance to come over on trial.

“I took that opportunity, came along and had a couple of sessions and then was told that I was going to be given a contract so I was pretty buzzing to get that.

“All the lads have been great with me and I’ve fitted in really well, I’ve found it easy to slot myself in and get along with everyone so I’m looking forward to the rest of the year."