A NEW era has begun for the Keighley Cougars Women’s team as the new coaching staff took charge for the first time.

The club were granted a licence to apply for promotion to Championship One by the RFL and the licence is expected to be accepted once the deadline for the 2019 Women’s game passes in late November.

Former Cougars Reserves coach Dean Muir has been brought back to the club, along with Mickey Hurley from local junior club Silsden Storm, to prepare the team and recruit ahead of their first season in the league system following a year in the development league.

Speaking of his return to the club, Muir said: “I just want the club to go back to being strong.

“I love the club and I love coaching, there are ladies within the team that have some real talent but under their former coach they were just left to it which is hard when you’re trying to nurture players and develop them.

“I want the club to be producing its own young talent, both female and male, who deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.

“The aim for this club on the men’s side is to be a Championship club with good philosophies and I want the women’s team to be a vital part of that as we aim to reach the Super League.

“Three years from now, I want to be sat in a Cougars Women’s team dressing room and have a dressing room full of England internationals and Yorkshire county representatives, but I don’t want to have to bring players in to achieve that, I want to produce them from the players I’ve inherited.

“I know where we are now after my first session. Movement skills and fitness is a must and power development will come quickly but overall it’s an exciting time really for the ladies and they bought into it really well.

“Process and professionalism is all it is and after speaking with the new owner I can see that’s what the club is now all about.”

Bookings are also now being taken for the Keighley Cougars Executive Suite and Hall of Fame bars for parties, weddings, funeral and Christmas functions.

If you are interested in hiring out either bar then please call the club on 01535 606044 or alternatively, email the club's events department at events@keighley-cougars.direct.