Rhys Clarke signs for Newcastle Thunder

Newcastle Thunder is delighted to announce the return of Rhys Clarke to the club on a one-year contract, after signing from Workington Town.

The first signing for Chris Thorman as Thunder head coach will see Clarke move across from his former club to take up a player-coach role for the 2023 season.

Clarke made 42 appearances during his two seasons at Workington Town after signing for the club in 2020.

A familiar face to many at Kingston Park, the experienced forward began his career at Thunder, his local side, in 2009 and has gone on to make over 150 appearances for them since. During his 14-season career he has spent 10 of those at the North East outfit and has also enjoyed stints at York City Knights and Whitehaven.

Speaking on his move back to his hometown club, Clarke said: “I’m excited. I’ve been looking forward to coming back since the opportunity came about. I left the club two seasons ago after being here for 10 seasons in total, so it feels like coming home.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Workington and had a good first year there, where we won the play-off final. The second year was tough, and I knew logistically I couldn’t stay, so when I got the chance to come back to Newcastle it was a no-brainer. I jumped at the chance.”

Clarke follows in the footsteps of head coach Chris Thorman in joining from the Cumbrian outfit, saying: “Coming back to Newcastle was always in my mind. I always thought I’d end up at Thunder again, whether that be in a playing or coaching role. And, when I found out Chris was going to be coaching it was set to be a good match. 

“I’ve known Chris for a while now. I played with him many moons ago and I’ve been coached by him on a few different occasions. I know the way he works; he knows the way I work, and I think it’s a good pairing. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Asked what he hopes to add to the squad for the 2023 season, Clarke replied: “I think a lot of the fans will have seen me play before, having not been away that long. They’ll know and can expect me to just get stuck in and move the ball around.

“I can’t wait to get back to Kingston Park and play in front of the fans. It’ll be great to pull on the shirt and get out there once again.”

Clarke will also pass on his expertise to Thunder’s players of the future following his move to the North East, as he will lead on coaching the Reserves and Academy under-16s side.

Speaking on his step into coaching at Thunder, Clarke added: “I’ve got a big passion for coaching. I already work with grassroot clubs and coach kids in schools. I’m coming to the back end of my career now, so I’ve been looking for that transition into coaching for when I’m finished playing.

“A lot of the kids in the scholarship and academy fold are kids that I’ve worked with in the schools, and I’m looking forward to being able to give back to some of the young kids and try and help them along the way.

“I came through a similar pathway in the North East and it’s probably a little different to other areas in the country, so if I can help them out and get as many local lads as possible into the first team, then that’s my job done.

Speaking on the importance of developing the North East influence in the squad, Clarke said: “I think we need to start getting more North East players into the team because the talent is there. We just need to give them the opportunity and mould them into first-team players they can be.”

Newcastle Thunder head coach Chris Thorman said: “I’d like to think I’ve built a strong relationship with Rhys over the last decade. I think if you’re going to be successful in sport it’s about building strong bonds and relationships, and I’ve got a tight one with Rhys.

“Being a head coach coming to a new club you’ve got to surround yourself with people you trust as well. I’ve spent a lot of time with Rhys, and I’ve coached him over the last couple of years. I know what he’s about and what he’ll bring, but also, it’s just as important that he knows what I’m about. To top it off, he’s a good guy too.

“It’s down to me to use him wisely, and I genuinely think if we get it right, he’s a real potent attacking threat. He’s got good late footwork for a big guy, he’s got good skill, he can promote the ball after contact, and he can offload the ball.

“He’s got a high rugby IQ developed over the last decade of playing the sport at this level. He’ll bring a lot, but the main thing he is here for is to bring an attitude shift and a bit of a culture change.”

Speaking on the North East influence driving the club for the next season, Thorman said: “Being from Wallsend, I really care about this club, although I’ve never been part of it professionally.

“Rhys is the same and has been part of it previously, so he is incredibly passionate about Thunder. The more people we have who care about the club, the more successful we will be.”