BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Breaking: Former Swinton Lions coach Alan Kilshaw has agreed to a three-month suspension of his RFL coaching license, suspended for 12 months, following an investigation into a possible breach of the Operations Rules at a game against Widnes Vikings in July.
Widnes made a complaint when Vikings player Nick Gregson alleged on X that a photo of himself with a noose around his neck was put up in the Swinton dressing room. Gregson also claimed on social media that Kilshaw directed his players to target his injured shoulder during the match.
Kilshaw has always strongly denied the allegations, which you can read more about here. Gregson has deleted his tweets where the allegations were made.
According to the RFL, Kilshaw’s sanction is reflective of this being an agreed decision, and the governing body has stated that he accepts his responsibility as head coach for the governance of the changing room and staff, and that he is remorseful and has been affected, along with his family and reputation, by the process.
The summary includes the following passage: “Mr Kilshaw has learned from this incident, and it has brought to light the need for all coaches in the sport to consider all communications and coaching methods to ensure they do not risk offence or being misinterpreted by other participants or the public.”
Kilshaw accepted the agreed position based on the fact that it was not he who produced nor shared the image in question. rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands it was another individual at the club who created the controversial image.
However, Kilshaw accepted that as head coach, the governance of the changeroom and staff ultimately is his responsibility.
According to the RFL’s finding: ‘The matter was made public and Mr Kilshaw has shown great remorse and been affected, along with his family and reputation, due to the complainant making public accusations before any investigation or process could take place.
‘Mr Kilshaw has learned a great deal from this incident and it has brought to light the need for all coaches in the sport to consider all communications and coaching methods to ensure they do not risk offence or being misinterpreted by other particpants or the general public.
The former Swinton boss said in a prepared statement: ” Ultimately as head coach, the governance of the changeroom and our staff and match preparations is my responsibility.
“Tip Sheet imagary and language has always been a big part of Rugby League coaching and are tools I have used throughout my career. They are never meant literally and that has been accepted by the Swinton Club and other players who have been interviewed.
“This has been a timely reminder that everything we do in the sport must pass the test of being respectful to participants at all times and will ensure that my preparations and changerooms and staff that I manage going forward will adhere to those expected standards.
“I’m hugely grateful to my family for their support during this difficult period and am looking forward to my new role in Toowoomba with a great club.
“I’ve enjoyed the professional support of Acquiesce Sports during this process who represented me from the start when the social media scrutiny and stress of the charges were extremely challenging, and their work in representing me and working with the RFL to reach a fair and reasonable agreement has been incredible.”
