Steve Bates returns with top university role

Jul 7 2010 by Nick Purewal, The Journal

UNSEATED Newcastle Falcons rugby director Steve Bates has a new coaching job with Northumbria University.

The sacked former Newcastle boss has replaced Richard Arnold, who left his Northumbria head coach role to join Alan Tait’s Falcons coaching staff.

Bates’ official title is that of Rugby Consultant, but he will take an overview of all men’s and women’s rugby at the university, while heading up the coaching team for the men’s First XV to compete in both North One East and the British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) competition.

Bates was sacked by Falcons chairman Dave Thompson in May, after an unsatisfactory Premiership campaign where Newcastle were dragged into another relegation battle.

The Falcons had harboured high hopes for a campaign that they felt might have pushed them towards Heineken Cup rugby, but there was to be no top-six Premiership finish.

Instead Bates’ men were forced to produce two vital victories – at Kingston Park over Gloucester and in their penultimate league clash at Sale – to safeguard their top-flight status.

Once Newcastle’s Premiership future was secure, Falcons supremo Thompson acted swiftly to replace former Wasps scrum half Bates with assistant coach Tait.

Now though Bates has made a quickfire return to the North East rugby scene, and will certainly look to use his credentials from his former career in teaching in his new role at Northumbria.

“In my previous role with the Newcastle Falcons I enjoyed a very good working relationship with the University,” said Bates.

“And this is an excellent opportunity to build on the foundations laid down by Northumbria’s previous head of rugby Richard Arnold.