Matt Calland signs new deal with Rochdale Hornets

Matt Calland

Head coach Matt Calland has agreed a new one-year deal at Rochdale Hornets.

Calland joined the side mid-way through the 2019 season, and the new deal will see him remain at the club until the end of the 2021 season

The former player enjoyed three spells with the Hornets, scoring 60 tries in 120 appearances. He is a Championship Grand Final winning coach having steered Halifax to their 2010 golden point Grand Final win over Featherstone

On the extension, Calland said: “I am grateful to Rochdale Hornets for offering me an extension to my current contract. I had no hesitation in agreeing to remain as coach through to the end of the 2021 season and hopefully beyond, as we continue to all work towards reclaiming our place in the Championship.

“Covid-19 related issues mean that we are unprecedented times for both Rochdale Hornets as a club and the sport of Rugby League in general. The game will not be the same on the resumption, how we operate, what the financial impact has been, what restrictions we will have to adhere to, all these matters will have to be thoroughly assessed as we slowly start to understand what the 'new normal' will look like for the sport of Rugby League.  

“I honestly believe that we were in great shape before the lockdown in March. We have a well-balanced squad that are as hungry for success as I am and I am certain that the dynamics of the squad will not have changed once we get the green light to resume training. 

“My desire to see Rochdale Hornets succeed has not changed since I first walked through the door at Spotland in 1990 and with the new board of directors now in place and backed by our loyal supporters and club sponsors together we can achieve our goals for this great club.

Calland’s role at Hopwood Hall College has also seen a unique partnership develop between the club and the college, and future stars of the game at the college academy also work alongside Super League’s Toronto Wolfpack.

On the deal, chairman Andy Mazey said: “Clearly there is a lot of uncertainty around the sport at the moment, however immediately on the back of formally completing the take over last week this announcement should not only demonstrate our confidence in Matt but also our determination to move this club forward regardless of how this year plays out.

“Matt is a winner, he brings a wealth of experience, both as a player and as a coach, and shares the vision of building a structure and player pathways below the first team that will pay dividends long term. As a board we are unanimous and in absolutely no doubt that he is the right man at the right time for this club.

"On behalf of the board I’d like to thank Matt and his team for everything they have done so far and congratulate him on this extension. The supporters and everyone at the club are behind him and this deal gives some stability and an opportunity to build something very special together.”