James Smailes finds out how former Hull FC and Hull KR star Paul Cooke is carving a name for himself in both rugby codes.
IT'S 8pm when Paul Cooke finally picks up the phone in his rented accommodation. "It's been one of those days," he quips.
Apologetic at the lateness of the call following a routinely hectic day, he's finally got an hour to sit down and talk.
The Doncaster coach is two days into a five-day stay away from his beloved family, surrounded by just a laptop, paperwork and his mobile phone for company.
It may be the off season for the newly-crowned Championship coach of the year, but with his rugby union hat on as assistant coach of the Doncaster Knights, he has a British and Irish Cup game at Cross Keys to prepare for.
While the Championship accolade only served to rubber stamp his position as a developing rugby league coach of note, his work at the Knights has also not gone unnoticed.
Sacrifices are being made to develop a coaching career that could even outstrip a successful playing career. Sacrifices that put his recent award into context even more.
"It's difficult being away from home. I'm having to make sacrifices, as is my partner, Emma. I'm spending many nights away from home on my own with my laptop and work for company and Emma is stuck at home with the kids, but we know it will be worth it," explains Cooke as he reflects on a whirlwind 12 months.
"I couldn't do it without Emma's support. We are making it work and when you get recognition like the coaching award, it makes it all worthwhile."
With Emma, his father and brother by his side, the former Hull FC and Hull KR player enjoyed a night to savour at the recent Championship awards dinner. As well as picking up the coaching accolade, he was also nominated as player of the year.
The emotion of the night meant it was impossible not to have a thought for the one person missing from the family celebrations.
"I collected the award and thought of mum, I think she'd have been very proud of me," said Cooke.
Undoubtedly so. A year on from taking over the head coach's role after a successful tenure by Tony Miller, Cooke can reflect on a rookie season that couldn't have gone much better.
Having joined Doncaster in January 2012, combining playing with a coaching role on the club's development staff, Cooke was quickly elevated to his first head coach position.
It was a surprise and an honour for the former Mail columnist, but an offer he couldn't turn down.
"I was really happy writing my column and doing my job in the community with Doncaster, I was getting a lot out of it," he explained.
"But when the offer came I took the job without any hesitation because I owed the club a lot for what they'd done for me. We tackled it head on and we've had a great year, but it's not down to me. I know it sounds like a cliche, but it really is a team effort."
Although they finished sixth in 2013, the Dons were 14 points behind Batley in fifth. This campaign, Cooke's side were never outside the top four and went into the final regular season game with a second-place finish still a possibility.
"The season ended on a damp squib for us with three straight losses and the players were disappointed, but I think on reflection it's been a very good year for us," he added.
A victim of their own success, their Challenge Cup run meant Doncaster never had a weekend off until the league stopped for Cup final day in late August.
For a club with part-time players who cannot match the spending of Leigh, Featherstone or Sheffield, their top-four finish was widely appreciated throughout the league.
With ambitious owners, including one member of pop sensation One Direction, Cooke knows 2014 was a small step towards the planned final destination of Super League.
Still only 33, he's in no hurry to get there.
"The owners are ambitious, they've talked about taking us full-time but we are not ready yet as a club," he explained.
"Throwing money at a team doesn't guarantee you anything. Ask Salford about that. It's about the culture, it's about having the academy in place and your own young players and we are still three or four years behind Leigh, London, Bradford and Featherstone who will all be in our league next year.
"Next season we want to progress again, but we'll do it at the right speed."
It's a patient approach, but don't confuse patience with a lack of ambition.
"Of course I want to develop as a coach and progress, both in league and union. Otherwise the sacrifices wouldn't be worth it," Cooke said.
And with that, it's back to pre-season planning and game-day preparation for a coach who is already reaping the rewards of a rapid ascent.
