Ahead of the 2024 NRL preseason, Benji Marshall has shared a preview of his coaching blueprint with the new group of pathways mentors at Wests Tigers.
The coaches of all Wests Tigers junior and senior representative teams for 2024 attended a pathways induction session on Tuesday night at the Zurich Centre under the direction of Marshall, who will be assisted by assistant coaches Robbie Farah, Chris Heighington, and John Morris the next season.
The presentation contained offensive and defensive strategy recommendations for the NRL squad, with the intention of applying similar techniques to the club’s development teams.
Building continuity through the grades is the key to engaging with the club’s junior coaches, according to Marshall.
“It’s critical that young players understand our values when they progress through our rep teams and eventually join the NRL,” he stated.
The club’s growth plans include coach education as a major component, according to Matthew Betsey, general manager of women’s and pathways.
As a development club, Betsey stated, “We aim to develop and retain the best talent in our catchment areas, and that extends beyond just players.”
Payne becomes a member of the team to lead the Wests Magpies NSW Cup squad. The former Cowboys hooker had a great playing career and then went on to accumulate a wealth of coaching expertise. Prior to leading the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup for four seasons, Payne was the head coach of the North Queensland Cowboys’ academy and the NYC team.
Leon offers a wealth of experience to the position. He comes to the team from Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, where he was the Jersey Flegg Cup head coach the previous year. In 2019, he also served as South Sydney’s Jersey Flegg Cup winning assistant coach.
After spending the last nine years with the team in a variety of assistant and trainer capacities with both Balmain and Wests Tigers (Jersey Flegg), Tony will make his head coaching debut.
Chris returns to the Wests Tigers, bringing over a decade of coaching experience with him. In the Ron Massey Cup, he led Wentworthville Magpies to a championship in 2017. More recently, he has been coaching Group 6 teams Narellan Jets and Windsor Wolves.
Transitioning from assistant coach to head coach of Wests Harold Matthews club, Stephen is embarking on the next phase of his coaching career.
Joey Saukuru, Wests SG Ball Cup (U19s)
Joey will stay on as head coach of West’s SG Ball Cup team, having spent the last few years cultivating close bonds with his players in that capacity.
Harrison Fox, Macarthur Wests Tigers Andrew Johns Cup (U16s)
Harrison is moving up to head coach of Macarthur Wests Tigers Andrew Johns Cup team from assistant coach of Wests Harold Matthews side.
Mitchell Tyler, Macarthur Wests Tigers – Laurie Dailey Cup (U18s)
After putting in a lot of effort as an assistant coach for West’s SG Ball club, Mitchell is also moving into a head coaching position.
Scott Clark, Women’s U17 Lisa Fiaola Cup
