1 May 2007 - Smith appoints Steve Mcnamara as his assistant coach for Great Britain
Great Britain coach Tony Smith has today started building his backroom staff by appointing Steve McNamara as his part-time assistant coach.
Hull-born McNamara, 35, the current head coach of Bradford Bulls, has signed a two year contact that will take him up to end of next year?s World Cup in Australia.
It is just over 12 months ago that Steve McNamara was thrust into the engage Super League limelight when Brian Noble left for Wigan, having previously worked as his assistant at the Bulls.
Since then he has steered the Bulls to a place in last year?s play-offs, falling only in the semi finals, and to top of the table this year.
Tony Smith said: ?I?ve worked with Steve in the past and have watched in admiration at his progress at the Bulls. He is one of the most intelligent and talented coaches around and I?m sure he will have much to offer the international set-up, staring with the Frontline Test Match against France on 22 June.?
Steve McNamara said: ?I?m delighted to be appointed assistant coach and can?t wait to get started. Having played for Great Britain on a few occasions I know what an honour it is to pull on the jersey. To be involved in the build-up to the World Cup will be brilliant.
?Bradford fans can rest assured that I remain 100 per cent committed to the Bulls and will be taking up this role part-time under a full-time coach. We?ve made a decent start to the first half of this season and I am keen to carry on this good work.?
Ironically the Great Britain coach and his new assistant will come head-to-head this Sunday (6 May) when Leeds Rhinos meet Bradford Bulls as part of engage Super League?s Millennium Magic event in Cardiff.
Earlier this year the Rhinos? defeated the Bulls 18-14 in a thrilling encounter with Scott Donald scoring a last minute try to snatch victory. Despite his new role in the Great Britain set-up, McNamara is keen for revenge against his new boss on Sunday when first place in the league takes on second.
Steve said: ?Our performance against Leeds at home was one of the best of the season and we were really disappointed to lose. This Sunday I?ll be putting my new working relationship with Tony to one side as we become rivals on the touchline. The lads are well up for Sunday and so am I.?
McNamara?s first game as assistant coach will be the Frontline Test Match against France at Headingley Carnegie on Friday 22 June. This will be followed in the autumn by the Gillette Fusion Test Series against New Zealand.
Hull-born McNamara, 35, the current head coach of Bradford Bulls, has signed a two year contact that will take him up to end of next year?s World Cup in Australia.
It is just over 12 months ago that Steve McNamara was thrust into the engage Super League limelight when Brian Noble left for Wigan, having previously worked as his assistant at the Bulls.
Since then he has steered the Bulls to a place in last year?s play-offs, falling only in the semi finals, and to top of the table this year.
Tony Smith said: ?I?ve worked with Steve in the past and have watched in admiration at his progress at the Bulls. He is one of the most intelligent and talented coaches around and I?m sure he will have much to offer the international set-up, staring with the Frontline Test Match against France on 22 June.?
Steve McNamara said: ?I?m delighted to be appointed assistant coach and can?t wait to get started. Having played for Great Britain on a few occasions I know what an honour it is to pull on the jersey. To be involved in the build-up to the World Cup will be brilliant.
?Bradford fans can rest assured that I remain 100 per cent committed to the Bulls and will be taking up this role part-time under a full-time coach. We?ve made a decent start to the first half of this season and I am keen to carry on this good work.?
Ironically the Great Britain coach and his new assistant will come head-to-head this Sunday (6 May) when Leeds Rhinos meet Bradford Bulls as part of engage Super League?s Millennium Magic event in Cardiff.
Earlier this year the Rhinos? defeated the Bulls 18-14 in a thrilling encounter with Scott Donald scoring a last minute try to snatch victory. Despite his new role in the Great Britain set-up, McNamara is keen for revenge against his new boss on Sunday when first place in the league takes on second.
Steve said: ?Our performance against Leeds at home was one of the best of the season and we were really disappointed to lose. This Sunday I?ll be putting my new working relationship with Tony to one side as we become rivals on the touchline. The lads are well up for Sunday and so am I.?
McNamara?s first game as assistant coach will be the Frontline Test Match against France at Headingley Carnegie on Friday 22 June. This will be followed in the autumn by the Gillette Fusion Test Series against New Zealand.