Hirst named Championship Coach of the Year for 2018

The Wakefield boss was named as the winner of the award prior to last Saturday’s Grand Final between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves.

Trinity won the League Leaders’ Shield before missing out on the Grand Final after a narrow defeat in the play-off semi-final against Leigh Miners Rangers.

“I knew I had been nominated but for me to get something like that is amazing,” said Hirst.

“I went into coaching the ladies’ team with a bit of an open mind and looking at it as a bit of a building season.

“I have not coached open-age ladies before but having the success that we have had and being awarded coach of the year is fantastic.

“I went up against all the other coaches from the Championship and Championship One.

“It is something that I didn’t expect at all - I couldn’t have asked for anymore.

“If we had of looked at it from the beginning of the season and said that we would win the League Leaders’ Shield and that I would win coach of the year - you wouldn’t have thought it at all.”

Hirst feels that the positivity surrounding his Wakefield side has put them in a good position heading into 2019.

It is likely that Trinity will compete in the Women’s Super League next season as they look to improve on and off the field.

Hirst added: “It has put me as coach and us as a team in a very good light for next year.

“With where we have come from, we have got a lot to look forward to next year.”