Abbott signs new deal as Cornwall head coach

Mike Abbott has guided Cornwall to eight wins in his two seasons in charge

Cornwall RLFC head coach Mike Abbott has agreed a new deal to lead the League One side for the 2025 season.

Abbott, 46, took over from former Widnes and Dewsbury coach Neil Kelly after the club's first season.

Abbott led the Choughs to their best-ever season in 2023 when they won five of their 18 games, while they won three times this year.

St Helens-born Abbott moved to Cornwall in 2016 and coached development side Cornish Rebels before becoming Kelly's assistant.

It comes a day after the takeover by businessman Kenny Stone was announced with the Cornishman purchasing the club from its Canadian owners.

"What really made me really want to commit to a third year was the amount of lads that didn’t hesitate to commit to this team and really bought into what we want to achieve. That was key for me," Abbott said. "I want this season to be more about us.

"In reflection, we should have paid more attention to how good we were as a team and what our strengths were, not spending too much time focusing on our opponents and not taking away from what Cornwall were good at.

"I want to play fast, off-the-cuff rugby that’s won us a number of games in the past. Playing the Cornwall way and having other teams fear how we play."

Abbott’s new deal is the first big decision made by Stone took control of the side.

"He has proven he has what it takes and my job is to make that process as easy as possible to fulfil his coaching goals and aspirations," Stone said.

"With growing support and backing within the club, we're calling all of Cornwall and the South West rugby league community to get behind the project that we’re building here as we aim to build pathways into the professional game from the grassroots up."