By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 11:05, Saturday, 29 May 2010

Rugby league in Carlisle is to receive a huge shot in the arm with a new community coach to boost participation in the city.

Louise Graham

Scot Louise Graham has switched from Championship club Whitehaven and starts her new full-time job on Tuesday.

She is looking to work closely with Conference National outfit Carlisle Centurions, who hailed her appointment.

“It’s the best possible news for us,” said chairman Alan Tucker. “We are hoping it’s the start of a production line that will eventually feed mature players in to the amateur ranks in Carlisle. We will support it 150 per cent.”

He pointed to the superb work done in city schools by development officer Garry Schubert in the early 90s and how its positive impact was still felt today.

“People who came through that system, the likes of Craig and Martin Stalker, Andrew Dalton and Mike Dodd, are the backbone of Carlisle Centurions,” Tucker added. “But there’s been no back-filling of the system since those days.”

Graham hopes to mirror the school work she undertook in Whitehaven though with summer holidays looming, she also plans sessions for youngsters who might be interested in getting to grips with a new sport.

She is looking at all aspects of league, including wheelchair rugby, with a taster session planned for next month.

Cumbria development manager Alan Davidson said: “Louise looks at the job as a challenge to develop the game in Carlisle.

“She’s bright and bubbly and has a rapport with kids, and she’ll get more people involved.”

Centurions lost their opening five matches in the summer game’s flagship competition but have the chance to get off the mark today against Dewsbury Celtic at Gillford Park (2.30pm).

First published at 09:07, Saturday, 29 May 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk