Betts extends Widnes contract

Denis Betts has signed a 12-month extension as Widnes coach Credit: PA Images

Widnes coach Denis Betts has signed 12-month contract extension taking him through to the end of 2017.

The 45-year-old former Wigan and Great Britain forward has been at the helm of the Vikings since November 2010 and, after taking them into Super League in 2012, guided them to the play-offs in 2014 for the first time.

Widnes chief executive James Rule said: "The 2014 season was the most successful in the club's Super League history and Denis was the driving force behind this success.

"His work ethic, philisophies and leadership have shaped an exceptional performance department across playing personal, coaching and medical staff.

"As we seek to make continuous improvements to all aspects of our operation it is essential that we have stability and continuity in our leadership roles.

"As a board of directors we are delighted to reward Denis with his contract extension and are hugely excited to work with him as we continue to grow, evolve and improve in all aspects of our operation."

Betts said: "This is a real honour for me. I am committed to the club and my belief is that we are growing something that's really special here.

"Having the ability to continue the work we've been doing for a further three years, an extra year on top of the contract I already had, is fantastic."