York the new top dog at Pittsworth

Daniel York will take the next step in his footballing career after getting the nod for a prestigious honour at the Danes.

Daniel York has been named as player-coach of the Pittsworth Danes for 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

RUGBY LEAGUE: He has led from the front for a number of years, and now Pittsworth enforcer Daniel York will take the reins in a different form.

The Danes have announced that York will take over the side as player-coach in 2020, replacing Phil Economidis at the helm.

Being asked to fill the role was something that caught him by surprise, but a challenge his is eagerly anticipating.

“I never sort of envisioned this,” York said.

“Coaching at the end of my career was something I’ve looked at, but not a player-coach.

“The way things ended up last year, I was pretty involved with the training last year.

“They asked if I would play again this year if I’d like to have more involvement in the coaching side of things.

“When they asked me about the role, I spoke with my wife (Jess), who is from Pittsworth, and we were both excited about it.”

It marks York’s fifth year at the club, having joined from the Central Coast of New South Wales in 2016.

He added starch to an imposing pack, as the Danes took out the TRL Premiership in his maiden season, before making the grand final the following year.

York is looking beyond on-field performances, and keeping an eye on the future as he looks to maintain the feel that has the Danes as a proud fixture in Pittsworth.

“Not so much from a results point of view, but we want to establish a good club culture,” he said.

“It’s hard to build up and easy to lose.

“We want a lot of the senior guys at junior training, and want junior kids to be excited when they see senior guys walking down the street.

“We want them to stay at the club and aspire to become seniors one day.”

York said he has been blessed to play under credentialed coaches such as Economidis and Ian Brackstone during his time in Pittsworth, and said he would pick their brains to help him achieve success.

“Phil suggested I take it on, and he’s been really helpful in giving me a few pointers,” he said.

“I’ve stayed in touch with Ian who has been a great help as well.

“They’ve both done a lot of coaching that a lot of people haven’t done.”

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