Rugby coach Gary Hewer has a lot to look forward to over the next 12 months.

Hewer is preparing for his first crack at the National Conference with Egremont, and already planning for a BARLA tour next October.

He has recently been appointed coach of Egremont in the Conference Premier Division while he will be completing his three-year stint with BARLA as head coach.

A much respected dual-code coach, Hewer says he is particularly pleased to be back in domestic club rugby at Egremont Rangers.

“They are a proud club with solid pathways through the age group sides they run,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to getting my first taste of Conference League rugby as a coach. I’ve had discussions with the management committee about their development plans and am sitting down with John Wells, one of the club coaches, to formulate plans for the new season.

“I will be meeting the players before Christmas and we will start training for the new season early in January.

“I’m also preparing a train-on squad for the BARLA Great Britain tour in October.”

Hewer has just completed another Tri Series County Championship as Cumbria’s head coach in which the Open Age side finished second to Yorkshire.

“We have been runners-up in each of the last two seasons and I think that’s a decent achievement. When you look at what Yorkshire selected their team from this season it is made-up of National Conference players.

“We haven’t that luxury but use a number players from the local Cumberland ARL who have brought a lot of pride to our performances.

“The fact that we haven’t finished last of three to earn the wooden spoon in two seasons against quality opposition speaks a lot about our lads,” he says.

Hewer has coached Distington previously in the Cumberland ARL and spent ten years at Whitehaven in a variety of roles.

He’s also had time coaching in the 15-a-side code with four years at the Carlisle club and three with Cumbria, which has included a final appearance at Twickenham.

It has all added up to an impressive CV which Egremont Rangers hope will be expanded during his time at Gillfoot.