The Wests Tigers have confirmed every coach who will oversee the clubs in the paths program ahead of the 2024 preseason.
This comes after the Tigers revealed that former team captain Robbie Farah and recently hired assistant coaches Chris Heighington and John Morris will join Benji Marshall in the coaching booth for the upcoming campaign.
“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,” head coach Benji Marshall said.
“Having already been coached using similar guidelines will make the transition to first grade more effective.”
General Manager, Women’s and Pathways Matthew Betsey, would go on to discuss about how important all the coaches are to the success of the Wests Tigers and the club’s development plans for the future.
“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,” added Betsey.
“Junior coaches, whether they be representative coaches or coaches at junior rugby league clubs, play a hugely significant 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.”
2024 Pathways Coaches
Wests Magpies NSW Cup: Aaron Payne
Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg Cup: Leon Latulipe
Balmain Harold Matthews Cup: Tony Bazouni
Balmain SG Ball Cup: Chris Yates
Wests Harold Matthews Cup: Stephen Isdale
Wests SG Ball Cup: Joey Saukuru
Macarthur Wests Tigers Andrew Johns Cup: Harrison Fox
Macarthur Wests Tigers Laurie Daley Cup: Mitchell Tyley
Wests Tigers Lisa Fiaola Cup: Scott Clark
Wests Tigers Tarsha Gale Cup: Adel Hage
Former North Queensland Cowboys hooker and 2005 NRL Grand Finalist Aaron Payne has been brought into the club to look after the NSW Cup team and will also work as an assistant coach.
Payne brings a wealth of knowledge and coaching experience with him, having previously been the Cowboys academy coach and Under-20s head coach before becoming the head coach of the Townsville Blackhawks in the QLD Cup for four seasons.
The Jersey Flegg Cup side will be coached by Leon Latulipe, who joins from the Manly Sea Eagles and is an ex-assistant coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs premiership-winning Jersey Flegg Cup team in 2019.
Joey Saukuru, the father of Tigers’ development players Apisalome Saukuru and Solomone Saukuru, will continue his role as head coach of the Wests SG Ball Cup team.
Tony Bazouni, Chris Yates, Stephen Isdale, Harrison Fox and Mitchell Taylor will round out the pathways coaching staff for next season.
The two female squads of the club will be managed by Adel Hage (Tarsha Gale Cup) and Scott Clark (Lisa Fiola Cup). After working with Samoa’s national junior programs and participating in the Parramatta Eels’ pathways programs, Clark joins the Tigers.
Conversely, Adel Hage, who joined the Wests Tigers in 2019, led the team’s Harvey Norman Women’s squad—which included players like Jessica Sergis and Kezie Apps—to a premiership in 2022.
