Dale Bottomley named Rams Head Coach

Sun Oct 07 2018

The Yorkshire Rams are pleased to announce that Dale Bottomley is the team’s new Head Coach.

The former Rams running back and receiver rejoins the team having guided local university side Leeds Beckett Carnegie into the BUCS Premiership North, which earned him the 2016-17 Coach of the Year award.

Rams general manager Stewart Hegarty said: “We are excited to announce Dale as the Rams Head Coach.

“His résumé speaks for itself along with his passion for the sport. It is going to be an exciting time for the team and we are looking forward to the season ahead.”

A Carnegie team featuring Rams players such as Tyler Broad, Lysander Code, Chris Winrow, James Lewsley and Will Johnson powered past Warwick, Nottingham and Sheffield Hallam in 2017’s Division One play-offs despite having a far smaller squad than most of their rivals.

They then progressed to the play-offs in their first season in the top flight, only to be frustrated when their semi-final at Durham was postponed due to an unplayable pitch and awarded to the scheduled hosts despite attempts to arrange an alternative venue.

Dale will continue in his role with Carnegie and combine it with his new post at the Rams, where he succeeds the popular [David Pawson](/post/2018-09-14-rams-part-company-with-head-coach/) in charge of a team seeking to emulate Carnegie and return to the Premiership.

He said: “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead the Rams - a community-driven organisation with a rich history and huge potential.

“I am excited to work with players, coaches, management and support staff to set a vision that everyone involved in the programme will strive to realise.”

Rams assistant GM Adam Cowley said: “After playing alongside Dale many years ago with the Rams, my lasting memory of him was his dedication and drive to achieve at the highest level.

“He has since gone on and grown into an exceptional Head Coach on other programmes, building a system and mentality of winning, pride and team community - all core fundamentals at the Rams.

“For me, he is the perfect fit for what we are driven to achieve in the future and I’m looking forward to working with him again both on and off the field.”