NEWLY-promoted Championship club Gateshead Thunder have appointed a Geordie as their new head coach.

Newcastle-born Chris Hood, 28, an academy player in Gateshead's solitary season in Super League 1999, is the successor to Australian Dave Woods - who was sacked earlier this month for an alleged breach of discipline.

Hood, a former student of Northumbria University, has been Thunder's assistant coach since 2004 and was number two to Woods when the team won the National League Two title last season.

"I have no doubt that Chris has all the qualities to be a very successful head coach," said chief executive Rod Findlay.

"Gateshead Thunder now have a locally-born chief executive, head coach and club captain - and a third to half of the squad are locally trained.

"Chris' appointment is further proof that rugby league is thriving in the North-East."

Hood said: "I am incredibly proud and excited by the challenge I have been offered. Gateshead Thunder has been a huge part of my life for a long time now, and to become head coach has been a huge ambition."