WEST Bowling’s outgoing head coach Dean Muir is “really proud” to have been offered his big break as head coach of Hunslet for 2024.

The news was announced on Monday and means Muir will not be leading the Bradford community side into the National Conference League Premier Division next season after helping them to the Division One title this year.

But he leaves full of praise for the West Bowling first team, the staff there, and the youth set-up at the club.

Having been on Keighley Cougars’ coaching staff for over a decade, Hunslet represents his first shot at being top dog in the top three tiers of rugby league in this country.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Dean Muir has worked hard at Cougars for years, and now has his biggest break yet.Dean Muir has worked hard at Cougars for years, and now has his biggest break yet. (Image: Keighley Cougars.)

And Muir told the T&A: “I’m massively thrilled and really proud to take on the Hunslet role.

“I’ve worked hard for this and I’ve been fortunate to work with some great players and very good coaches along the way.

“I want to put my own stamp on things at Hunslet, as I think it’s important it comes across as me being the head coach and the way I do things.

“I spoke to (former Cougars boss) Craig Lingard and he told me I had to do this my way, like I did at West Bowling, and like he does at Batley now with his bare feet and flip-flops.”

Cougars and Hunslet have been on a similar footing for several years, so it should not be too huge of a culture shock for Muir to leave one for the other.

He said: “I gained real experience at Cougars and with my time coaching the reserves there etc, I’ve been at the club for 15 years.

“But being head coach of Hunslet gives me something different, a new environment, and having that has already worked wonders at West Bowling.”

Muir officially takes up his role at Hunslet on October 1, by which point the League 1 play-offs will be over, and the South Leeds side will know whether they are in the second or third tier next season.

But their new boss insisted: “I was always going to take the job, because I like the club and the atmosphere around the place.

“They have great fans, hard-working coaches who I’ll get to know, and nice people there as volunteers and staff.

“It was never about what league they’re in for 2024. If it’s the Championship, that’s nice, if it’s League 1, it’s my job to get them there into the Championship.”

If he achieves the latter, that will be two promotions in two years for Muir, who said: “With West Bowling, I’ll be honest, the playing group were outstanding.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Hooker Dan Halmshaw was one of several players to shine for West Bowling this season.Hooker Dan Halmshaw was one of several players to shine for West Bowling this season. (Image: John Ashton.)

“They were great to work with, very coachable and gifted, and I had great support from my assistant John Williams too.

“I’m hugely proud of what we achieved and the whole club has been unbelievable, it’s a real family club.

“They had several of their former juniors playing in the Challenge Cup final for Hull KR, the Under-16s won a treble, and a lot of the young lads have been drafted in by Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls for their youth programmes.

“I know the firsts will do well and push for the top six and the Premier Division play-offs next year too.”

Bowling are now actively looking for a head coach to take them into the 2024 season and beyond.

To register your interest, send your coaching CV to westbowlingarlfc@gmail.com