KEIRON Cunningham says his appointment as Saints Head Coach is the pinnacle of a fantastic year.
Fresh from helping Nathan Brown steer the club to its sixth Super League title, the 37-year-old has been handed the top job for the next two seasons.
“It has been a good month for me and the Saints and this is the pinnacle of a fantastic year,” he said. “I’ve been a kid stood on the terraces watching this great team and I was fortunate enough to be good enough to play for it too.
“Once my career was over and I was undecided what I wanted to do and what path I wanted to go down, Mike Rush, Eamonn and the Board let me find that out for myself at this club.
“But I was always aware that good players who go into coaching often fall on their knees quite quickly.
“I am a humble person, always willing to learn and I don’t think I know everything. I have been learning under some great coaches and I’m not the finished product.”
Keiron played 496 times for Saints scoring 175 tries.
He won five Super League titles, seven Challenge Cups and the World Club Challenge twice as well as playing 16 times for Great Britain and seven times for Wales.
“I know the heartbeat of the club,” he continued. “What it means to be a local player and win trophies. There are a lot of guys in this team that care.
“I’d like to think I have contributed to where we are as a team. When Nathan came in he took advice from myself and Jamahl and we moved the team forward. I have been coaching the attack here for the last two years and the way we go forward won’t change significantly.
“I also believe in playing kids if they are good enough whatever their age.
“There are 1,000 people who would love to take the reins here with the heritage and culture of this club. I am privileged to be coaching this team.”
Keiron confirmed that Jamahl Lolesi will stay part of his coaching team with the other assistant spot – the one he vacated – to be decided in the next few weeks.
