With the 2020 Season about to start Haven have boosted their squad with the signing of 27 year old back row forward Karl Olstrom

He returns to the club for a second stint having also had two different spells with local rivals Workington Town. Olstrom had joined Haven for the first time at the start of the 2017 season but he was released in April 2018 and a few weeks later re-joined Workington Town.

Haven coach Gary Charlton is delighted to have Olstrom back under his wing at the Recreation Ground and is looking forward to a big contribution for him in the months ahead.

“There were a couple of minor issues with Karl when I had him as a player when I was coach at Workington Town,” he said.

“But they were nothing that affected his performance for us.

“He’s a very talented forward, well capable of playing in the Championship and I am sure he’s going to have an important role in our efforts to meet the challenge posed by the higher level.

“Karl hasn’t trained with us as yet but I have no doubts about his fitness and readiness for the new season because he’s always kept himself fit and he will actually be going to Newcastle with us on Saturday.”

Two of whitehavens’ home games have been selected to be shown on the RFLs’ Our League app.

Round Three – Oldham (H) – Sunday 16th February 18:15 Our League Game Please note change in Kick Off Time

Round  Nine – Leigh Centurions (H) – Monday 13th April 15:00  Our League

Our League available

PC/Tablet https://membership.rugby-league.com/

Google Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.incrowdsports.rugby.rfl&hl=en_GB

Apple Store https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/our-league/id1292250629

Have a Happy, Safe and prosperous New Year.

From Whitehaven Independant Supporters Trust.

Seasons Greetings From Whitehaven Independent Supporters Trust

With the Haven team now well into pre-season training it has been confirmed that the Haven Will play three friendly games ahead of the Championship Season starting on February 2nd when we will entertain Swinton

The Thre pre-season games are as follows

Saturday 11th January 2020, when Haven Travel to take on Newcastle Thunder at Kingston Park with a 2-0pm Kick off

The following week Sunday 19th January 2020 is the annual Ike Southward Memorial Trophy game when Workington Town visit the Recreation Ground . Kick off 3pm.

The Pre season concludes the following week Saturday 25th January 2020 when Haven entertain North Wales Crusaders at the Recre’, kick off 2-0pm.

Im sure you will want to join us here at Trust in Haven in wishing a happy 90th Birthday to fomer Haven player Harry Harrison . A native of Egremont Harry joined Whitehaven from Egremont Rangers RLFC in 1950 . Made his first team debut v Bramley , a 2-2 draw on 9 December  1950 and scored the first of his 50 trys for the club the following week as Haven lost 17-5 to Swinton at Station Road . He made his final appearance on 23 April 1956 in a 27-5 win over Barrow at the Recreation Ground. He was a very speedy side stepping winger who used the cross kick to create many try scoring opportunities for his team-mates . His career came to a premature end due to a serious shoulder injury . He also represented Cumberland .

His career stats are 1950/51  1 Try 1951/52  6 Trys 1952/53  15 Trys 1953/54 10 Trys – Club Leading try scorer 1954/55  17 Trys      Club leading Try Scorer 1955/56  1 try 149 Appearances 50 Trys 3 Goals and a drop Goal

Haven start season at home to Swinton Lions …….

The 2020 Betfred Championship fixtures see Gary Charltons squad start the campaign on Sunday February 2nd with a home game v Swinton Lions The following week the Haven will make the long journey to the capital to face relegated London Broncos at the Trail Finders stadium Ealing Haven will have two games over the Easter period making the trip to take on York City Knights at the brand new York Community Stadium before welcoming Leigh Centurions to the Recre on Easter Monday. Round 14 sees the trip to the south of France to take on Toulouse over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend on Saturday 23rd May with a 3.30pm kick off local time. The week after sees Haven in the summer bash for the first time since 2016.Always a popular trip for the Chocolate, Blue & Gold army. We take on Sheffield Eagles at Bloomfield road with a 3.15pm kick off. Full Fixtures – All kick offs 3pm unless stated
Round 1 – Swinton Lions (H) – Sunday 2nd February
Round 2 – London Broncos (A) – Sunday 9th February
Round 3 – Oldham (H) – Sunday 16th February
Round 4 – Toulouse Olympique (H) – Sunday 1st March
Round 5 – Widnes Vikings (A) – Sunday 8th March
Round 6 – Batley Bulldogs (H) – Sunday 22nd March
Round 7 – Dewsbury Rams (A) – Sunday 29th March
Round 8 – York City Knights (A) – Friday 10th April
Round 9 – Leigh Centurions (H) – Monday 13th April
Round 10 – Bradford Bulls (A) – Sunday 19th April
Round 11 – Sheffield Eagles (H) – Sunday 26th April
Round 12 – Halifax (A) – Sunday 3rd May
Round 13 – Featherstone Rovers (H) – Sunday 17th May
Round 14 – Toulouse Olympique (A) – Saturday 23rd May – 3.30pm Local Time
Round 15 – Sheffield Eagles (N.) – Sunday 31st May – 3.15pm
Round 16 – Dewsbury Rams (H) – Sunday 14th June
Round 17 – Featherstone Rovers (A) – Sunday 21st June
Round 18 – Swinton Lions (A) – Sunday 28th June
Round 19 – London Broncos (H) – Sunday 5th July
Round 20 – Bradford Bulls (H) – Sunday 12th July
Round 21 – Leigh Centurions (A) – Sunday 26th July
Round 22 – Widnes Vikings (H) – Sunday 2nd August
Round 23 – Oldham (A) – Sunday 9th August
Round 24 – Batley Bulldogs (A) – Sunday 16th August
Round 25 – Halifax (H) – Sunday 23rd August
Round 26 – York City Knights (H) – Sunday 30th August
Round 27 – Sheffield Eagles (A) – Sunday 6th September We have a home game on August Bank Holiday weekend as the Challenge Cup Final is now being played in July. We welcome York City Knights on Sunday 30th August in the final home game of the season before rounding off the season with a trip to the Olympic Legacy Park to take on Sheffield Eagles.-

Wath Brow and England Lions international stand off Karl Dixon has joined the Haven on a deal until the end of 2020.
Dixon who makes the step up to the professional game from National Conference League’s minor premiers Wath Brow Hornets has just returned from the England Lions tour of New Zealand. This comes after help the Brow top the NCL’s premier division with 19 tries in 20 appearances grabbing man of the match on 4 occasions. His try scoring record only second in the division behind his Hornets team mate Curtis Teare. 
Dixon who turned 26 in September spoke about making the step up to the professional game saying “It’ll be a challenge and a tough ask in the Championship but I believe it’s the right time for me to step up and test myself. I’ve done everything I can in the amateur game and I’d like to thank Wath Brow and my coaches for that. I’m looking forward to it and can’t wait for pre season to start.”
Head coach Gary Charlton said “I’ve watched Karl quite a lot playing for Wath Brow and I believe he is the best player in that position in the league. He’s got the ability to make that step up to the Championship as he has the right attitude and skills to do well. He’s a great signing for the club and the team. I’m delighted that he chose Whitehaven and look forward to working with him”