Raiders Appoint Ex-NRL and Super League Forward as Head Coach for 2018

FORMER New Zealand Warriors and London Broncos player, Karl Temata, is the new Head Coach of Reading Raiders Rugby League Club.

The New Zealand-born former forward, who played internationals for the Cook Islands, amassed over 200 first grade career appearances for the Warriors and Broncos and also was a player/coach with French club, Limoux. Following a break of four years from the sport he will lead the Raiders in its inaugural season in the West of England League.

Karl moved to Berkshire a couple of years ago and is a Company Director of lawn treatment company, Greensleeves Maidenhead/Reading. Having last been involved in rugby league as player-coach of French semi-professional club Limoux in 2014, Karl did some research to see if there was a local club who he could become involved with and found contact details for the Raiders.

Following discussions between Karl and Reading’s committee, the club decided to offer him the position of Head Coach for 2018.

Karl said: “I’ve been living in the area for a few years now with my young family and after devoting the last four years into building my business up, I felt now was the time to get back into the sport I love.

“From discussions I have had with the club, I’m aware it is in the early stages of its development so I will be concentrating on improving the players’ core skills ready for the league season.

“I’m excited to meet the squad and look forward to making a success of the Head Coach role.”

Karl will be aided by Assistant Coaches, Andy Parr and John Boucher, who are the Captain and Vice-Captain of the club, with the trio in charge of playing matters for the upcoming season.

Raiders Chairman, Andrew Belt, commented: “I am thrilled that Karl has come on board with us. We are very lucky to have someone who has achieved so much in the game, playing at the pinnacle of the sport in both the southern and northern hemispheres, able to offer his experience to our team.

“This is just the first in what I hope will be a series of exciting announcements in the lead-up to the season and I hope our playing squad are just excited as I am to see what Karl can bring to the table as the club continues to progress in the right direction.”