The Wests Tigers have confirmed all of the coaches who will oversee the teams in the pathways program ahead of the 2024 pre-season.
Benji Marshall will be joined in the coaching box by recently appointed assistant coaches Chris Heighington and John Morris, as well as former club captain Robbie Farah, according to the Tigers.
“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,” Benji Marshall, the club’s head coach, said.
“Having already been coached using similar guidelines will make the transition to first grade more effective.”
Matthew Betsey, General Manager, Women’s and Pathways, would go on to talk about how vital all of the coaches are to the team’s success.
“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,” Betsey said.
“Whether they are representative coaches or coaches at junior rugby league clubs, junior coaches play a huge role in player development.”
“It’s vitally important that we not only have programs in place to educate and develop players, but for our coaches as well.”
Aaron Payne, a former North Queensland Cowboys hooker and 2005 NRL Grand Finalist, has been brought in to oversee the NSW Cup team as well as function as an assistant coach.
Payne brings with him a wealth of knowledge and coaching experience, having previously served as the Cowboys’ academy coach and Under-20s head coach before taking over as head coach of the Townsville Blackhawks in the QLD Cup for four seasons.
Leon Latulipe will coach the Jersey Flegg Cup team, who joins from the Manly Sea Eagles and was an assistant coach for the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ premiership-winning Jersey Flegg Cup team in 2019.
Joey Saukuru, the father of Tigers development players Apisalome and Solomone Saukuru, will remain as head coach of the Wests SG Ball Cup club.
Next season’s paths coaching team will include Tony Bazouni, Chris Yates, Stephen Isdale, Harrison Fox, and Mitchell Taylor.
Scott Clark (Lisa Fiola Cup) and Adel Hage (Tarsha Gale Cup) will be in charge of the club’s two female teams. Clark joins the Tigers after working with Samoa’a national junior programs and the Parramatta Eels’ pathways programs.
Adel Hage, on the other hand, has been with the Wests Tigers since 2019 and coached the club’s Harvey Norman Women’s team to championship triumph in 2022, a team that included Jessica Sergis.
