Neil Kelly
Neil Kelly (born Thursday 10 May 1962 in Wakefield), also known by the nickname of "Ned", is the defense coach of the Houston SaberCats of Major League Rugby (MLR) and an English former professional rugby league footballer. He played club level rugby league (RL) for Dewsbury Rams (two spells), Featherstone Rovers, Wakefield Trinity and Hunslet Hawks as a hooker or loose forward, and coached representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Dewsbury Rams, Widnes Vikings, Leigh Centurions, and coached representative level rugby union (RU) for Namibia (assistant), and at club level for Ulster Rugby (defence), and Doncaster Knights (assistant).
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| Born | Thursday 10 May 1962 Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Loose forward, Hooker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coaching career
Namibian Rugby (International)
Assistant Coach
In 2011 Neil Kelly was appointed as Assistant coach to Namibia national rugby union team during their preparations for the Rugby World Cup finals to be held in New Zealand later that year.
Doncaster R.F.C.
Assistant Coach
Leigh Centurions
Head Coach/Director of Football
On his return to England and Rugby League Neil spent two years as the Head Coach and then Director of Football at Leigh Centurions Rugby League Club, competing in the Co-Operative Rugby League Championship. [3]
Ulster Rugby Union
Assistant Coach/Defence Coach
Neil Kelly spent two and a half years working as the defence coach for Ulster Rugby Union Club. Ulster Rugby participate in the Heineken Cup and RaboDirect PRO12, and provide the biggest regular supporter numbers for a true 'sport for all' in Northern Ireland. Based at Ravenhill in Belfast, they are the only sport running a full-time professional team based in Northern Ireland. [4]
Widnes Vikings
Head Coach
Whilst at Widnes Neil won promotion, via the 1st Division Grand Final 2001, to the Super League, the Northern Hemisphere's elite Rugby League competition. After a successful first season Neil was awarded the prestigious Super League Coach of the Year award for 2002.
Dewsbury Rams
Head Coach
During his five-year spell at Dewsbury, Neil Kelly coached the club through one of the most successful spells in its history.
- Northern Ford Premiership Grand Finalists: 1999
- Northern Ford Premiership League Leaders: 1999, 2000 (2 times)
- Northern Ford Premiership: 2000
- Trans-Pennine Cup: 2000
Wales Rugby League (International)
Head Coach
2001
| Preceded by Clive Griffiths 1991-2000 |
Coach Wales 2001 - 03 |
Succeeded by Stuart Wilkinson 2004 |
Genealogical information
Neil Kelly is one of three brothers to play professional Rugby League, Andrew "Andy" Kelly who played for Wakefield Trinity, Hull Kingston Rovers and Illawarra Steelers (Australia), and Richard Kelly who played for Wakefield Trinity and Dewsbury.
References
External links
- 2011 Knights Coach Kelly aids RU World Cup Finals Team
- 2011 Kelly Coaches Namibian RU World Cup Team
- 2010 Kelly & Goulding Rally to Stricken Percivals Cause
- 2009 Roles Change at Leigh Centurions
- 2008 Kelly Joins Leigh
- 2005 Ulster Retain Coach Neil Kelly
- 2004 Super League Coach of the Year Joins Ulster RU
- 2004 Ulster Delighted to Secure Neil Kelly
- 2002 Welsh Coach Kelly Reappointed For New Zealand Challenge
- 2001 Kelly's Brave Wales Run England Close
- 2001 Neil Kelly Appointed as Wales Rugby Boss
- 2001 Kelly Steers Widnes to Grand Final Glory
- New Zealand 50 Wales 22 Cardiff
- Eaton drives Dewsbury to big pay day
- Dewsbury's import sent home
- Knights bring in Kelly
- Neil Kelly video
- Neil Kelly Audio Interview
- Neil Kelly Audio
- Neil Kelly on the Namibian job