KEIGHLEY COUGARS full-back Ritchie Hawkyard, who is officially leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of next month, has found a new role within rugby league.

It will come as no surprise to those who read his interview with the Keighley News earlier this month either.

He has this week officially been appointed as player-coach at community club Newsome Panthers.

The Panthers are Hawkyard's local amateur club, and he told the KN that he had already been doing a spot of coaching down there.

His role has now become official though, and he will also get the chance to show off his playing skills at full-back too.

At the age of 34, there is surely still plenty of life left in those legs just yet.