You are in > manchester.com  > News > England coach Smith becomes British citizen

Rugby League

England coach Smith becomes British citizen

08/09/2008

Australian-born England rugby league head coach Tony Smith has successfully completed a citizenship ceremony which sees him become officially British.

The former Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants coach, who has worked in the UK for the last eight years, was named Great Britain chief in April 2007.

And after living in the north of England since first taking the job at the Galpharm Stadium in 2000 he was invited to apply for citizenship by letter, completing the process in Huddersfield today.

"I am both proud and honoured to become a British citizen and I am delighted to show a strong and clear commitment to this country which I have developed during my career in rugby league here," he said.

"I believe I have made a contribution to the sport in the UK over the last eight years and I look forward to continuing to do that for many more years to come.

"My family and I have made this country our home and we are all very settled and happy. We love living here."

Smith's first match as a British citizen will see him lead England into an international match-up against Wales at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium on October 10th.

He will then lead England in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup in Australia, which kicks off on Saturday October 25th.