Coaching Director

I was raised on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, started playing Rugby League with Manly Warringah at age 13 after representing NSW PSSA for two years running (2nd year Captain). My junior clubs were the Cromer Kingfishers and Narraweena Hawks). • Signed a 5 year ‘Scholarship Agreement’ at age 13 with Manly Warringah. • Went on to play two seasons of Harold Matthews, two seasons of SG Ball, two seasons of Jersey Flegg and Premier League with Manly Warringah. • During this time at Manly was coached by David Hosking, Frank Ponissi, John Reid, Ian Thompson and Des Hasler. • In 1998 was selected to represent City Under 18’s alongside Willie Mason, Phil Bailey, Anthony Minichello, Mark Riddell, Timana Tahu and Luke Burt. • From 16 years of age at Manly worked for the ARL Foundation as a Junior Development Officer, supervised by former Manly Development Officer Cathy Clarke. This involved running coaching clinics at schools and the organisation of Gala Days and school holiday clinics with over 1000 children. • Completed Level 1 Coaching Course and Diploma in Rugby League Junior Development with the ARL Foundation. • Assistant Coach for Manly’s under 14’s Development Squad at 18 years of age. • 2001 Signed with Cronulla Sharks. • Played 48 games between 2002 and 2004 in the NRL with the Cronulla Sharks under former Australian Rugby League Coach, Chris Anderson. 1 year under Stuart Raper. Positions played at NRL level included second row, lock, hooker and five-eighth. • Named 2004 Cronulla Premier League Player of the Year as Captain under former Wests Tigers Assistant NRL Coach and current Hull Head Coach, Peter Gentle. • Highest achievements at NRL level: 3 Semi-final matches in 2002. (Sharks vs Roosters, Sharks vs Dragons and Sharks vs Warriors). • November 2004 moved to France as a player/coach in the French Elite competition with Pia to pursue a coaching career. • 2004/05 player/assistant coach under French Rugby League legend Jacques Jordan (French Representative as both player and Coach). • 2006 won the French Cup and the French Competition with Pia as a Player/Assistant Coach. (Coach: Luc Mendes) • 2007 won the French Cup and French Competition with Pia as Player and Head Coach. • Led Pia as Player/Head Coach to be only the second club in French History to win the French ‘Double’ two years in a row. • 2008 Grand Finalist with Pia as Player/Head Coach. • 2009 led Pia as Player/Head Coach into their fifth consecutive finals. • Over 5 years at Pia introduced Rugby League into the local schools, preparing weekly clinics and working with the local councils to push forward Rugby League development in the area. • Held position at Pia of Player/Head Coach/Football Manager for 3 years. Responsible for the day to day running of the club including: o All preparation for the 1st team. o Junior Development and over-seeing of the Pia Juniors (under 20), Pia Cadets (Under 17’s) and the scouting and signing of all foreign and French players. o Managing the club budget of 700,000Euro per season. • I speak French Fluently and whilst in France conducted all coaching and junior clinics in French. • Completed French Level 1 and 2 Coaching Certificate equivalents during time in France. • July 2009 retired from playing due to injury. • Returned to Mt Hutton, Newcastle Australia to live with wife Leanne who grew up in the area, after spending 5 years abroad together. • 2010 Appointed Head Coach of Central Newcastle in the Newcastle 1st Grade Competition. • Completed Level 2 Coaching Certificate in February, 2011 with the Newcastle Knights. • 2011 Appointed Head Coach/Football Manager/Coaching Co-Ordinator of the Litchfield Bears in the Darwin Rugby League Competition. • 2011 1st Grade Semi Finalists with Litchfield. Grand Final winners in both Under 15’s and 17’s. Now in 2012 I have taken up the role as head coach of Toowoomba Valleys A-Grade and Coaching Director for the Toowoomba Valleys Senior and Junior clubs.