Aled James appointed Head Coach of South Wales Scorpions
New manager
By Chris O'Brien,
December 1 2010
The South Wales Scorpions have appointed club skipper as Aled James as the club's new Head Coach. 28-year-old James, who will continue with his playing duties as well, replaces Championship One coach of the year Anthony Seibold.
The vacancy came up for the Welsh international after Seibold returned to Australia after successfully guiding the Scorpions to the play-offs in the club's inaugural season.
A fluent Welsh-speaker, James played in the Super League with Widnes Vikings after joining the North West club in 2003.
He moved to Yorkshire with the Sheffield Eagles in 2004 before returning to his native Wales in 2006 to join the newly-formed Celtic Crusaders.
James made a total of 22 senior appearances for the Saders – including six during the club's first Super League season in 2009 – before joining the Scorpions in 2010.
Speculation suggesting that the Scorpions would hire from within following Seibold's departure has proved accurate; though Seibold's deputies Dan Clements and Hywel Davies were considered more likely appointments than James by many fans. The duo will remain assistant coaches.
James, who takes the job at the tender age of 28, says it was a "shock" to have been offered the position.
Scorpions' Chairman Phil Davies added: "We're delighted to have appointed Aled in the role of Head Coach. He was outstanding for us last year and showed great leadership on the field".
Congratulations to Aled on his appointment.