Haven's James Newton voted best coach in the Championship, and there's new signings on the way Whitehaven coach James Newton voted Championship Coach of the Year as Haven line up new signings
Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.
James Newton's pipped London's coach by 20 votes to be named the fans' Championship Coach of the Year. Haven are only losing one player and say more new faces are coming.
This one's for Haven fans already thinking about next season.
James Newton has been voted Championship Coach of the Year in the Rugby League Fan Club's online poll, and that lot have over 160,000 followers. He was up against London Broncos' Jason Demetriou, Mark Dunning at Midlands Hurricanes and Allan Coleman at Widnes, and he edged it by 20 votes over the London fella.
Remember he only came in two months into the season, with Haven losing week after week, and he took them all the way to the play-offs, where the Hurricanes knocked them out in September.
Chief executive Lee Butterworth said: "He took over two months into the league fixtures and we were on a losing run, operating with one of, if not the lowest budgets in the league."
He also said: "Subsequently he turned us into a play-off side, operating with a team which was about 95 per cent Cumbrian and most of whom had only one or two seasons as a professional."
Squad-wise, Haven are only losing one player from this year. Whoever it is isn't going to another club, they just want to crack on with other sports, and the club will name them soon. There's 20 signed up for 2027 already, and they're talking to a few more, so expect some new names shortly.
What you can do: keep an eye on Whitehaven RLFC's website and socials for the new signings, and for 2027 season tickets at the Ortus Rec.
Whitehaven RLFC head coach James Newton has won the Rugby League Fan Club's Championship Coach of the Year poll by 20 votes. The club says it is losing only one player from its 2026 squad and has 20 signed for next season.
This is for Whitehaven RLFC supporters looking ahead to the 2027 season.
Whitehaven head coach James Newton has been named Championship Coach of the Year in an online poll run by the Rugby League Fan Club, which has more than 160,000 followers. He was up against London Broncos' Jason Demetriou, Midlands Hurricanes' Mark Dunning and Widnes boss Allan Coleman, and won by just 20 votes ahead of Demetriou.
Newton took charge two months into the league season with Haven on a losing run, and led them into the Championship play-offs, where they went out to Midlands Hurricanes in September.
Chief executive Lee Butterworth said: "He took over two months into the league fixtures and we were on a losing run, operating with one of, if not the lowest budgets in the league."
He added: "Subsequently he turned us into a play-off side, operating with a team which was about 95 per cent Cumbrian and most of whom had only one or two seasons as a professional."
On the squad, the club says it will lose only one player from its 2026 group. That player, who is not joining another team but wants to concentrate on other sports, will be named by the club soon. Haven have 20 players signed for next season and are in talks with several possible newcomers, with more recruits due to be announced.
What you can do: watch Whitehaven RLFC's website and social media for the new signings, and for news of season tickets for 2027 at the Ortus Rec.