Darlington Mowden Park can confirm that Mark Luffman will leave the club at the end of June, having led the Sharks programme for the last 2 seasons. After taking the role in the summer of 2021, Luffman has been instrumental in growing and protecting the women’s pathway in the North East, and leaves the club with our best wishes for the future.

Asked about his time with the Sharks, Luffman commented: “This season has been an 11 month rollercoaster and we have so many people to thank across the year. Without our fantastic sponsors and generous CrowdFunder donors we simply wouldn’t have been able to play this season, hopefully we have represented you well with our commitment and passion on the field week in week out.”

“To my colleagues and people who have helped behind the scenes so often - thank you for helping provide the players with the best environment we could to enable them to perform in the AP15’s, a league which is getting stronger year on year.”

“To the players - I cannot thank you enough. It was your passion to not submit last summer and strive to find a way to keep playing the game we love at elite level that started the ball rolling. You have shown skill, determination, courage, passion, resilience in training and in games. It takes people with real quality of character to face adversity time and again, get knocked down and get back up to do it again you have done this so often this year and I thank you for that.”

“Finally to the two captains this year Kenny and Trudy you have been amazing at bonding a group of players together into a tight knit team -you have done an incredible job, thank you.”

Having been announced as Head Coach at Sheffield Tigers for the 2023/24 season, Luffman will take up his new role at the beginning of July. Sharks Co-Captain Kenny Thomas-Roberts said: “On behalf of DMP Sharks players I’d like to thank Luffers for all his hard work over the past two seasons. It’s been clear how much he cares for this team, and has fought hard for women’s rugby in the North East. We wish him all the best in his new role.”

DMP Chairman Mick Birch added: “I’d like to thank Mark and his coaching team for all their efforts throughout the last 2 seasons. Luffers has always put the players first and their progress this season is testament to his dedication to the programme. I wish him the best of luck in his new role and beyond.”

On behalf of everyone at DMP we’d like to thank Luffers for his contributions to the club, and we wish him the very best for the future.