Mike Castle is the current Canada Ravens head coach, and a very experienced coach in North America and over in Europe and the United Kingdom.
He will lead the team to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup next year, which will take place in October. Castle will look to replicate the success the Ravens had in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, where they made the semi-finals stage.
Mike Castle: current Canada Ravens head coach
"With the 2021 Rugby League World Cup approaching, we're looking to put together a strong group of athletes who have the skill, physicality and determination to represent their nation proudly at the highest level of our sport." Mike Castle, Canada Ravens Head Coach pic.twitter.com/jqXqMzm1RW
— Rugby League BC (@RugbyLeagueBC) October 2, 2020
Mike Castle started his professional career as an academy player with the London Broncos. Then, Castle played five years with Championship 1 side, the London Skolars. According to Canada Rugby League, he was also the game development officer and community coach for the club. He also held roles in Australia including developing NRL’s Player Development Network.
@ABurk_ and @petraawoods share their thoughts on how Canada Ravens' head coach Mike Castle helps to prepare his team for the @RLWC2021 #RLWC2021 #RugbyLeague #Rugby pic.twitter.com/SWrEq9BVv8
— CanadaRavensRL (@CRLA_Ravens) March 22, 2021
Castle is presently the Project Manager of Community Rugby League & Workforce Development and the Project Lead of Participation Strategy & Projects. He has worked with the National Rugby League (NRL) since 2008.
He also coached the Ravens to a top-four finish in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and additionally also coached in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Castle was also the community coach of The Rugby Football League from 2000-02 and the player/coach of the Orara Valley Axeman. This is what Andrea Burk of the Ravens said about Castle according to the Canada Ravens YouTube website.
“Mike Castle is an incredibly experienced and supportive coach. He has a wealth of experience both as a player himself in England and Australia but also in his years developing the game within the NRL in Australia.”
Mike Castle – Overview of Canada Ravens head coch
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our head coach Mike Castle! 🎉🎉🎉
Mike shares what it means to him to coach the Canada Ravens…. Check out the full post on our Instagram or Facebook page and don't forget to follow, like, and share! 🙂 pic.twitter.com/ohK6gk8KBD
— CanadaRavensRL (@CRLA_Ravens) March 21, 2021
The 2021 Rugby League World Cup was supposed to take place from October 23 to November 27, 2021. However, because of COVID-19, the World Cup will be held in England from October 15 to November 19, 2022. More changes that leadership like Castle and senior players within Canadian Rugby League must adapt to, and is unfortunate as COVID-19 once again interrupts another major sporting event.
A statement from our head coach, Mike Castle, regarding the postponement of the Rugby League Word Cup. pic.twitter.com/PVFIRrZQ75
— CanadaRavensRL (@CRLA_Ravens) August 9, 2021
All sport has had to learn to work alongside the protocols and health and safety measures, as is the times. However, when specifically talking about the Canada Ravens, they will feel fortunate. They will play in the Rugby League World Cup most likely now after the first-ever CCCRL season ends. It will be a short tournament in Toronto for the first year only.
A highlight for the Ravens and their new coach Mike Castle. This season should give some of the Canada Ravens players plenty of practice before the anticipated Rugby League World Cup begins.
All the best.
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2022 Rugby League World Cup draw and match center here.
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