The CRGT Northern Pride has continued to recruit local Rugby League talent with the announcement today of the appointment of David Maiden and Troy Cummings as assistant coaches for the 2008 Wizard Cup State League campaign.

“It’s a great opportunity to be involved with a new club in its first year and to be able to assist in building a team from the ground up. I enjoy coaching and have had experience coaching representative sides over the last few years and am looking forward to being involved in the State League. I have also played in the competition and will be helping the younger guys make the step up through my playing experience. There is a really good feeling in the community about what the Northern Pride is about and I wanted to be a part of that,” said Maiden.

Cummings; a Cairns local, has been the coach of the Cairns Marlins team for the past three (3) years, making the Foley Shield Final on all three occasions and winning two titles. Cummings will also take on an assistant role, which will include looking after the Academy players and monitoring the local players in the CDRL competition for the Northern Pride;

“I am thrilled to be given the chance to be a part of the Northern Pride in its first season. There is enormous talent in the region and having a team in the State League is something for local players to aim for and provides a realistic opportunity to identify and develop that talent. I think my knowledge of the local players will be an advantage to the club and with the people involved and the players already contracted I know we can be very competitive,” said Cummings.

Head Coach Andrew Dunemann said the signings were vital to the club;

“Both Maido and Troy have great experience and have Rugby League in their blood and have extensive knowledge about the local competition and players which is valuable to the club. They are passionately local and are the type of people we want involved with the Northern Pride. We are not far away from finalising our player list and securing the clubs assistant coaches prior to our official start of training on November 5th is a vital part of the clubs plans.”