Hunslet Hawks RLFC are delighted to announce that former Crusaders assistant coach Barry Eaton has signed an initial two year contract to become head coach of the Hawks.

This exciting deal will also see Barry take up a full time role at the club as a community development officer.

The capture of Barry is a massive coup for the club and will mean that Hunslet Hawks will now have secured a second full time community development officer to work along side Steve Parnell.

The Hawks will shortly become a community trust owned club with no significant financial backer and it’s important the club creates a sustainable business operating model.

In support of that the club needs to drive greater community involvement both in the local amateur set up and local schools to develop strong player pathways to our first team.

The club also needs to actively pursue and develop long term sponsorship and business partnership opportunities to keep Hunslet Hawks competitive. We feel that approach is better served by having a full time coach / community development officer.

The reputation Barry brings in these regards is first class. His achievements in a similar role at Keighley Cougars prove that he will drive the club forward both on and off the pitch.

Barry is in no doubt about the difficult challenges ahead but is relishing the opportunity to get back to head coach duties following his recent experience at Crusaders in support to Iestyn Harris.

The club feels that this decision is the right move in helping to secure and build long term relationships in the community to safeguard the future sustainability of Hunslet Hawks RLFC.

Hunslet Director of Rugby Darren Williams said “I am delighted to be able to welcome Barry to the South Leeds Stadium. For Hunslet to be able to attract such a highly respected coach on a 2 year fulltime contract speaks volumes for the club. Now that the club's ownership will soon be in the hands of the supporters trust it was vital that we had a full time coach working right at the heart of the community on a day to day basis"

Barry Eaton said “I am delighted to be joining Hunslet Hawks as head coach and I am grateful for everyone involved in making it happen. I am looking forward to helping the club build and putting structures in place that will enable Hunslet Hawks to continue to prosper both on and off the field"