League: Mark Freeman new head coach of Swords

Takahiwai premier league assistant coach will coach the Northern Swords top team this season, with last year's coach Jim Larkin looking after the 15s and Benson Selwyn taking care of the 17s. Here, Swords 17s player Pana Matiu celebrates a try which sealed their win against Wellington last season. Photo/File

Rugby League Northland has confirmed Mark Freeman as its new head coach for the Northern Swords this season.

A high performance coach, originally from Queensland, Freeman is a passionate Northlander having been head coach of Northland under-18s between 2004 and 2008.

In 2009, Freeman had an extended break from coaching but in 2014 that all changed.

Freeman jumped back on board with his old club Takahiwai, as assistant coach with Shane Hool, where they have taken the side to the top of the Rugby League Northland MultiKai Cooker Premiership.

Freeman is passionate about building a competitive team for the 2014 NZRL Pirtek National Premiership and is confident there is talent to surpass the 2013 results, where they picked up their first ever win.

Freeman takes over the role from Jim Larkin, who couldn't commit to the 2014 season due to work commitments.

However, Larkin will go back to coach the 15s who now compete in a week long residential tournament.

Benson Selwyn will again coach the 17s, after taking the side to third place last year and has put his hand up for one more year.