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The coaching plans in 2026 for former Great Britain international and Castleford Tigers legend Graham Steadman have been confirmed.<\/p>\n
Steadman is known as one of the finest players in Castleford Tigers history with the former playmaker playing almost 250 games for the West Yorkshire club between 1989 and 1997.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s previously played for Featherstone Rovers, York and Gold Coast after starting out at Huddersfield, but it was at Castleford where he became a fan favourite, and during that period when he earned his Great Britain caps.<\/p>\n
After retirement from playing, he\u2019d move into coaching with a three-year spell at Castleford Tigers from 2001 onwards but he returned to a head coaching role earlier this year when he took the job at Newcastle Thunder.<\/p>\n
Steadman took over from Chris Thorman and coached the final nine games of Thunder\u2019s campaign in League One and it\u2019s now been confirmed that he will lead the North East side into the 2026 season as well.<\/p>\n
Castleford Tigers legend confirmed as Championship coach for 2026<\/p>\n
Thunder will be part of an expanded second division in 2026 with the Championship and League One amalgamating to form a 21-team league.<\/p>\n
Newcastle had finished at the foot of League One so they may be fearful of playing some of those top Championship teams, though it\u2019s expected that some form of tiering around fixtures will happen, though no plans have been confirmed yet.<\/p>\n
What has been confirmed is Steadman\u2019s commitment to the club with Newcastle sharing a statement to announce that following a series of other appointments.<\/p>\n
The statement explained: \u201cSteadman continues at Newcastle Thunder with the mission to elevate performance, embed a winning culture and nurture the region\u2019s talent base. His appointment is the next strategic move following the earlier announcements of Richie Metcalfe as CEO and Steven Watkinson as General Manager, aligning the club\u2019s leadership team for bold progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking on his appointment, Steadman said: \u201cI\u2019m absolutely delighted, privileged and honoured to be given this opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really excited about the future of Thunder and what we can build based on the strong foundations laid by the young men of Thunder \u2014 without them, we wouldn\u2019t be in this position.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese boys kept the club in the competition, and I\u2019m looking forward to a great pre-season and our Performance Pathways Partnership with York RLFC. We\u2019re determined to make sure Thunder is visible and active in and around the city of Newcastle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our\u00a0YouTube channel here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Newcastle Thunder continue with Graham Steadman as Head Coach<\/p>\n READ IN FULL > https:\/\/t.co\/j1m38pEsa0<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/pvriieBaoD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Newcastle Thunder (@ThunderRugby) October 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761234489_461_srl-logo.png\"\/){kind=logo}
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