Leigh Centurions are delighted to announce that four key members of the off-field staff have agreed improved and extended contracts with the Club until November 2018.

Head Coach Neil Jukes, Assistant Coach Paul Anderson and Strength & Conditioning Head Nathan Pennington and S&C Coach Paul Wood all signed their new contracts after meeting with Club Owner Derek Beaumont.

Neil Jukes has been on the Club's coaching staff since 2009 and was assistant coach from 2012 until becoming Head Coach just before the start of the 2016 season. Paul Anderson was Reserves team coach in 2014-15 and moved up to the Assistant Coach role in February 2016. Both are former Leigh Centurions players.

Nathan Pennington has also been a valued staff member in recent seasons, starting with the scholarship and academy teams in 2010 and moving up to first team duties in 2011. Paul Wood joined the staff over the off-season after calling time on his illustrious playing career that included 15 seasons in Super League with Warrington Wolves and saw him earn international honours.

Reflecting first on Neil Jukes' extended contract Derek Beaumont said: " Neil is a great bloke and is really easy to work with. I have seen first-hand his knowledge and ability over the last two years so didn't doubt that. He has been full-time at the Club for some time and involved as a coach at the club for around seven years.

"What I have been really impressed with are his management skills and his honesty to his principals in dealing with situations. The way he has dealt with the past few weeks was what has left me in no doubt he is the man for the job. He is likeable, fun and friendly and has the complete respect and support of the boys and his back room team which I think is evident by the way they have ground out the results for him. ‎

"Whilst his role has been hard so far it will become hard in a different manner now as we start to get our injured players back and pressure builds on team selection and rotation, but I know he is relishing that challenge. I would like to thank Neil his staff and all the players for their efforts for the Club during that difficult period. The sun is now shining and we are in a good place to focus on continuing our journey to achieve our ultimate goal."

Neil Jukes said: "It is a huge honour to be Head Coach of Leigh Centurions and I am really privileged to be holding this position at this great Club. The potential here is even greater for us to go on and achieve great things.

"I'd like to thank the back room staff and the current players for all their support and together we aim to improve the on-field and off-field performances and move forward together. If you turn up each day and work hard with a smile on your face you have a chance to succeed in whatever job you are doing. That's something we all do at this Club and we are a really happy, committed and determined group with a real family feel.

"Most of all I'd like to thank Derek and the other board members for all their help and support which has been fantastic. All the directors are really committed to the Club and we are a very united group on and off the field. I am confident we can move forward together and achieve our goals."

Derek Beaumont then added further comments regarding Paul Anderson. "I am really pleased for Ando," he said. "He and his family are personal friends of my family and he is Leigh through and through. He is extremely passionate about the Club and wears his heart on his sleeve.

"However, he has seemed to take on his new role sitting alongside Jukesy well and will progress well as he gains confidence and grows into the additional areas he can now operate in. I find it very easy to work with Ando. You know for sure he has got your back and he is very supportive of Neil and all the boys. He fully deserves his reward and I know that being the family man that he is, he will certainly enjoy it with them."

Finally Mr Beaumont concluded by commenting on Nathan Pennington and Paul Wood's extended contracts. "Nathan is a real honest, head down, hard working, well organised individual," he said. "He has also been at the Club a long time and is well liked amongst the boys. He has been incremental in the transition to a full-time outfit and fully deserves his reward of an extended contract with improved terms.

"Paul is a diamond of a guy who has achieved everything in the game and therefore is highly respected by his peers and the squad members. He is a really strong part of our coaching team and it is very pleasing to have him on board."