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Benji Marshall has given Wests Tigers new group of pathways mentors a glimpse of his coaching blueprint, ahead the 2024 NRL pre-season.

Marshall, who will be joined by assistant coaches Robbie Farah, Chris Heighington and John Morris next season, led a pathways induction session at the Zurich Centre on Tuesday night for the coaches of all Wests Tigers junior and senior representative teams for 2024.

The presentation included strategy guidelines on the NRL team’s attack and defence, with these methods to then filter through the club’s development teams.

Marshall says connecting with the club’s junior coaches is about building consistency through the grades.

“When a young player comes through our rep teams and eventually makes it to the NRL, it’s important they know what we are about,” he said.

Matthew Betsey, General Manager Women’s and Pathways, says coach education is a key component of the club’s development plans.

“As a development club, our mission is to develop and retain the very best talent in our catchment areas, and that doesn’t just apply to players,” said Betsey.

“It’s vitally important that we not only have programs in place to educate and develop players, but for our coaches as well.”

Betsey says the benefits of the club’s trickle-down coaching methodology have already been seen.

“So many of our NRL squad for next season have come through our pathways programs, and many of these players will have been coached at some stage by one of our junior rep coaches,” he said.

“It’s important that when they transition to the NRL, they are familiar with the methods and style that is being used at NRL and NRLW level.

“Our pathways coaches are so important to what we are building as a club long term.”