Giants in Tenerife: A Catch up with Leroy Cudjoe

Now on the other side, Leroy Cudjoe has begun life as a coach for the Giants.

It was a sad day when the curtain came down on Leroy Cudjoe’s playing career in 2025, signing off with a kick in front of the sticks on the hooter against Salford. However, the news of retirement was met by a positive move for the Giants’ former Skipper, who announced that he would be joining former teammate and Head Coach Luke Robinson’s coaching staff for the 2026 season.

The transition for Leroy has been smooth, and has taken to the role really well. Whilst out in Tenerife on warm weather training camp, Cudjoe explains how the first few months as Assistant Coach and Pathway Transition Manager has gone so far.

“It’s a lot different being on the other side, physically my body isn’t getting bashed about! I’m really enjoying the coaching side, it’s passion of mine especially working with the younger players and helping them develop.”

Even when he was still donning the Claret & Gold jersey week in, week out, Leroy always had kept keen eye on the pathway system at the Giants, stepping into training sessions with both the Academy and Scholars, whilst also having his say at amateur club level, providing his expert opinion and giving tips and tricks to young hopefuls.

In the Pathway Transition Manager side of his new role, Leroy has been impressed with the way the young guns have stepped up so far in pre season, and believes the future stars of the Giants can and will flourish.

“The young lads this year have been really good, they’ve come in and ripped in straight away and that’s all we ask. They all have areas they have to be better at and improve on but overall I can’t fault their attitude and commitment. They’ve thrown themselves into a tough schedule with the first team and doing brilliantly.”

Familiar faces always help when going into a new role, and having your old team mate and head coach by your side tops it off! But what exactly has been the key to Leroy’s easy transition from player to coach?

“I’ve always had a good relationship with Robbo and last year I’ve built a good relationship with Finny too so we’ve all clicked straight away. I’m always learning every day from them both, we are constantly bouncing ideas and opinion off each other which I take a lot from. 

The boys have been great to be honest and the first week was strange for me and probably for some of the lads but overall they’ve been class. It does help having them relationships already in place and hopefully it does for them too.”

Leroy explains his personal goals and ambitions for the future, and touches on what he believes will be a prosperous 2026 for the Giants.

“In 2026 I just want to learn and grow as a person and coach, I want to help the club improve on and off the field. We have some talented youngster’s that Steve Fox & Chris Cullimore have and are developing so I’d enjoy seeing some of them make debuts and the ones who did debut last year get another few games under there belt.”