Roby to continue at Saints in coaching role

After an illustrious 20-year playing career for his hometown club, James Roby will continue his association with St Helens as part of the Club's staff, which will see him closely linked with Paul Wellens' coaching team as well as other areas of the club.

Roby emotionally hung up his boots at the end of last season, and now the 38-year-old has taken his first step into life post-retirement - taking on a new position as the Saints' Leadership, Culture, and Performance Coach.

Our ? Leadership, Culture & Performance Coach

James Roby ??

? Read all about the news on https://t.co/6IlsZyXMmI
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) January 10, 2024

Having played an incredible 551 matches spanning three decades, Roby played his final match in October 2023, finishing with an astonishing six Super League Championships, four Challenge Cups, eight League Leaders' Shields, and two World Club titles to his name.

He is widely regarded as one of rugby league's greats, proudly serving both his club and country, and becoming one of the most highly respected rugby league players in the game.

This new role will see him continue to be closely linked with the First Team playing squad as part of Paul Wellens' coaching staff, but he will also be linking up with many other areas at Saints in his working capacity.

Speaking about the news Roby told saintsrlfc.com:

"First and foremost I'm another coach around the place to help with Paul Wellens, Laurent Frayssinous, Matty Smith, and the other coaching staff. I'll be taking the lead on the things we do as a team that deal with our values, our culture, and the leadership aspect of that.

"I'll be mentoring some of the players to a degree, and from a performance mindset, I'll be doing individual one-on-one coaching where we will focus on people as an individual, trying to just squeeze a little bit more out of them if we can by a different approach."

Roby was not short on offers at all for the next chapter of his life off the field as a player, but continuing to be a key man at the Saints was a significant draw. 

"St Helens is home for me and I've had a very lucky 20-year career, come to the end of that, and it is a little bit scary at times. You think about what's next and what to go into and I explored a lot of different possibilities and opportunities but in the end, this role became available. To stay in the environment that I know, I'm very familiar with all the staff, and all the players, it's a very easy transition for me as a retiring player. 

Roby continued: "But this is also a role that I'm really passionate about. It's a role where I really want to add value and make a positive difference. I'm ambitious, just like I was as a player, I'm ambitious to succeed in this new role.

"I'm very open to learning, I know that I've got a lot of sort of upskilling to do and things that I'll learn on the go or on the job but I'm welcoming that challenge and embracing it. The challenge of working with these professional athletes day in and day out, trying to squeeze a little bit more out of them, that extra percent, it really excites me."

The strong culture around the entire club of St Helens is vital in the eyes of James Roby, who has been one of the biggest driving forces behind its success. As the St Helens First Team prepare for Betfred Super League 2024 that strong culture remains and the new Leadership, Culture & Performance Coach feels the hunger for more success within their playing group.  

"We've got a very strong and stable culture that has been developed over many, many years and if you look at our trophy cabinet, this club is built on success. It's built on hard work, and honesty, there are a lot of attributes that go into it and good people make good cultures. Part of my job will be to maintain that." 

Mike Rush, CEO of St Helens added: "It's been in the works for a long time. There is no doubting how much James Roby loves St Helens and to have him continue to be part of the Club and look to improve our players on and off the field is an ideal fit.

"There were several avenues that James could have chosen after finishing his playing career, so we're delighted to keep him. The role will not be limited to the First Team, James' work will cover all areas of the Club, and I am more than sure his work will be highly beneficial for the Saints."

Head Coach Paul Wellens also shared his delight about Roby continuing to be part of the Saints saying: "James is one of the most respected people to ever to be part of our Club, so for him to continue to be involved with us, with the aim to improve our players as both individuals and members of our playing team."