Neil Kelly

Neil Kelly
Personal information
Born	Thursday 10 May 1962 (age 59); Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Playing information
Position	Loose forward, Hooker
Club
Coaching information
Rugby league
Club
Representative
Rugby union
Club
Representative
	Source:

Neil Kelly (born Thursday (1962-05-10) 10 May 1962 (age 59) in Wakefield), also known by the nickname of "Ned", is currently head coach of Cornwall RLFC and is a former 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).

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.

Widnes win Grand Final [1]

[2]^{[dead link]}

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

No promotion for Dewsbury after Grand Final win [3]

Cornwall RLFC[]

Head Coach On 8 Dec 2021 it was announced that Neil had been appointed as head coach of new club Cornwall RLFC^[5]

Wales Rugby League (International)[]

Head Coach

2001

Wales 33 Vs England 42 [4]

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[]

^ Rugby League Project
^ Rugby League Project Coaching
^ sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news
^ irishrugby.ie/6855_4024.php
^ "Neil Kelly: Cornwall RLFC appoint ex-Widnes coach for inaugural season". BBC Sport. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.

External links[]

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[1] Rugby League Project

[2] Rugby League Project Coaching

[3] sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news

[4] rishrugby.ie/6855_4024.php

[5] "Neil Kelly: Cornwall RLFC appoint ex-Widnes coach for inaugural season". BBC Sport. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.

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