Gareth Lewis will reach a major milestone when he takes charge of Huddersfield RUFC for the 250th time this weekend, when Field face Sheffield at Lockwood Park.
Lewis took over as head coach when Dan Hyde left in 2013. In his first season, the club won 20 of 26 matches to lift the National 3 North title, and the following year they consolidated with eighth position in National 2 North.
A relegation season followed in 2015-16, when Huddersfield simply couldn’t get going and won only seven of 30 matches.
Normal service was resumed in 2016-17 when Lewis guided Huddersfield to a second National 3 North title with a 100% record of 26 wins from 26 matches and in 2017/18, he won the National Coaches Association divisional Coach of the Year award as Field finished sixth in National 2 North. He then led the Club to its highest ever finish in National 2 North as the team finished in fourth place in 2018/19 season.
The 2019/20 was curtailed due to Covid but Gaz & the team had done enough to avoid relegation in a season decided on average points per game. The 2020/21 season was a non-starter then Gareth helped to steady the ship and rebuild after a difficult 18 months.
This season got off to a poor start but Gaz lead the team on an impressive run of form to ensure that they have guaranteed safety before he departs his role as Director of Rugby at the end of the season.
Congratulations Gaz on reaching such a fantastic milestone!!
