Paul Rowley


Paul Rowley is an English rugby league coach and former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. An England representative, he played at club level for the Leigh Centurions, Halifax and the Huddersfield Giants. After retiring as a player, Rowley began a coaching career and was appointed head coach of the Leigh Centurions in 2012, leading the club to Championship titles in 2014 and 2015 before departing at the beginning of the 2016 season. He subsequently was the head coach of the Toronto Wolfpack in the Betfred Championship.

Background

Rowley was born in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England.

Playing career

Having begun his career at Leigh, Rowley appeared in the Super League for Halifax and the Huddersfield Giants, returning to his hometown club in 2002. He retired as a player in 2006 and joined the coaching staff at Leigh Centurions.

International honours

Rowley won caps for England while at Halifax in 1996 against France, and in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup against Australia, Russia, and Ireland.

Coaching career

Rowley was appointed first team coach of Leigh Centurions on a permanent basis in January 2012. After a successful first season in charge which included guiding the club to 2nd in the Championship and a Northern Rail Cup semi-final, Rowley was named Championship Coach of the year. In February 2013 Rowley signed a new contract to keep him at the club until the end of 2015. Having won back-to-back Championship titles with Leigh in 2014 and 2015, Rowley resigned as Leigh Centurions head coach 10 days before the start of the 2016 Championship season, citing personal reasons. On 27 April 2016 he was confirmed as the inaugural head coach of the Toronto Wolfpack.

Personal life

Paul Rowley is the son of the rugby league who played in the 1970s and 1980s for Leigh, Workington Town, St. Helens and Carlisle; Allan Rowley. Paul Rowley has two sons, Alex and Oliver.

Honours

As a player