Platt is face that will familiar to many, having been named Cramlington Rockets’ Coaches’ Player of the Year and shortlisted for North East Player of the Year in 2017, meaning he brings a good rugby league pedigree to the role.

The St Helens native who now lives in Blyth originally came to the North East to study at Northumbria University, where he combined studying with playing for the university rugby league side, enjoying two successful years under now-Newcastle Thunder coach, Jason Payne.

Platt is currently working with Rockets Community’s other coaches to learn the ropes, coaching in schools and helping with Rocket Tots in Cramlington ahead of launching Bear Cubs in Alnwick after the February half term.

Bear Cubs will be a rugby-themed programme for 2-6 year olds and run alongside the minis rugby teams for U7-10s that Alnwick Bears is also launching, based out of Westfield Park in Longhoughton.

Speaking about the new addition to his team, Rockets Community manager Steve Beaty said: "we are delighted to welcome Louis.

He is extremely passionate about the development of young people and has fitted in straight away.

Louis role will be mainly supporting Alnwick Bears and already has a lot of great ideas.

This is a very exciting time for rugby league in Northumberland with Cramlington Rockets winning National Club of The Year and now the expansion of our work in Alnwick that has created this position.

The next 12 months are going to be really interesting and we can’t wait."