Adam Cuthbertson steps down as Leeds Rhinos Women's coach - Lois Forsell takes over

Cuthbertson guided Rhinos to four trophies in his two seasons at the helm, including the Coral Challenge Cup/Betfred Super League double last year.

The Australian, who will turn 35 later this month, is in the final season of his Rhinos playing contract, but will continue his involvement in women’s rugby league as an assistant-coach for the England side.

Rhinos finished top of the table in their debut 2018 campaign, won the Challenge Cup and were pipped by a last-gasp penalty goal in the Grand Final.

The following season they beat league leaders Castleford Tigers in the Challenge Cup and Super League deciders, despite being without star player Forsell who was forced to retire due to a knee injury.

Cuthbertson confirmed: “It was a tough decision to make, but there are some other things I need to focus on which mean I won’t have the time to do both.”

He explained: “I am doing my degree, I am at the University of Salford doing my masters in sports directorship.

“I am coming up to about half way through and it is taking up a lot of time.

“I was hoping to be able to juggle them because of how much I enjoy coaching the women’s team and helping the game grow.

“To a degree I will still be a part of it through a coaching role with England, but I would not be able to give the commitment the role [with Rhinos] needs.”

The women’s game is still amateur in that players are not paid, but top clubs including Rhinos expect ‘professional’ levels of commitment from their players and staff.

“It is important everyone lives up to that,” Cuthbertson said.

“Unfortunately, that is not something I’d be able to provide this year.

“I think if I was to take it on I would not be able to meet those standards.

“I feel doing that creates the wrong environment, players think ‘he has missed a couple of sessions, why can’t I’?

“I didn’t want to continue as a coach if I was unable to commit to all the training and all the games.

“I also need to give a little consideration to what I need going forward as well.”

Cuthbertson described his decision to resign as “a real shame”.

He said: “The girls are outstanding, I could not have asked for a better group.

“They are all completely committed to the cause and they are doing their bit to put the game of women’s rugby league on the map,

“It has been a brilliant two years coaching these girls and seeing them not just win a few trophies, but grow off the field in terms of their presence around Leeds.

“They have become role models for the next generation of girls who want to play the game, we have Courtney [Hill] and Char [Booth] representing the game over in Australia and on top of that we have all those who have gained international honours during the two years.

“That’s exciting for Leeds, but also for the game going forward.”

One of the stars of the women’s game, Forsell played for Bradford Bulls before joining Leeds in their inaugural season and producing a player of the match performance in the Challenge Cup win over Castleford.

She suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage later that year and hung up her boots 12 months later after being unable to regain playing fitness.

As well as working for Rhinos’ foundation she is also building a career as a television presenter.

Forsell assisted Cuthbertson last year and has been involved in Rhinos’ pre-season training ahead of the Women’s Super League kick off next month.

“A bit over two years ago when I took the role on I briefly spoke to Gary [Hetherington, Rhinos’ chief executive] about what the future of the women’s team looks like at Leeds,” Cuthbertson revealed.

“He was excited about the idea of a female head coach eventually taking over the role and I was absolutely in agreement.

“I feel women with a great skill set and knowledge of the game should be able to get involved and get their foot in the door.

“I think this will generate a great pathway for Lois, she is just as knowledgeable and has just as good a skillset as the men.

“It is a great opportunity for her and I am sure she will get a great reaction from the girls.

“They completely and utterly respect her as a person and a former teammate and I am sure she will get the response she wants.

“Hopefully she can go on and have a great season.”

Rhinos' director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said: “On behalf of everyone connected with the Rhinos, I would like to thank Adam for the outstanding job he has done with the women’s team over the last two years.

"He has juggled his playing commitments, a young family and his university studies with his coaching role and has never given anything less than 100 per cent commitment to the team.

"He has shown outstanding coaching abilities and I am sure that will stand him in good stead as he looks to the next chapter of his own career in the years ahead.”