NRLW superstar branches into community coaching ranks to develop next female talents

The Mascot Jets U14s girls might be a humble park football side, but from next year they’ll have the tutelage of one of the NRLW’s most credentialed players. See why the Kiwi international is helping out.

NRLW premiership winner Nita Maynard will coach the Mascot Jets in 2024. Picture: Contributed

Nita Maynard has just about done it all in the women’s game over the course of her illustrious career.

Two NRLW titles, a State of Origin appearance for New South Wales and 13 tests for New Zealand are credited to her name, and now she can add coach to that mix.

Maynard will give back to a local community club in 2024, mentoring the Mascot Jets U14s girls.

A family connection brought her to the club and she’s looking to give back tenfold.

“My partner (Jack Perrin) is a Mascot junior and has been with the club since he was a nappy grader,” she said.

“Since I’ve had my daughter (London) she’s been in the same pathway and playing since she was four.

“The longer that I’ve played football and been around it, I’ve wanted to make sure there’s a pathway for young girls in the area. There are so many talented girls in the South Sydney region.

“I wanted to ensure that when girls get to the point of breaking away with other sports, they have a pathway here with a full girls competition. Mascot has done a lot for me, I’ve been able to use a lot of their facilities and they’ve looked after myself and my family.”

Maynard and the Knights claimed the 2023 NRLW Premiership. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images

Maynard, who will enter her second NRLW season with the Newcastle Knights in 2024, said as soon as the opportunity arose to help out, she took it.

“When I had the time to commit to coaching a team I always knew I’d come back,” she said.

“I was lucky enough with the multi-year contract (with the Knights) to be able to fulfil that role while still playing.

“I’ve watched a fair bit of footy and there’s a definite need for upskilling. 14 is a great age to teach some of the basics I see that are missing.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have quality coaching during my career, and I want to be able to teach some of that understanding of the game.”

The beneficiary of elite training herself, Maynard wants to incorporate her lessons into her coaching.

“There’s such a great opportunity for females at the moment and teaching them to understand the importance both on the field and in the gym,” she said.

“Basic movement patterns, recovery and rehab. There’s a lack of female specific exercise coaching and we want to be able to teach these girls to look after themselves and be able to prepare properly.”

Nita Maynard has represented New South Wales at the State of Origin level. Picture: Adam Head

Mascot secretary Kim White said the club was delighted to have the guidance and wisdom of Maynard teaching their next generation.

“We have a lot of strong girls in our U12s and now they’re moving up to a grade where they need to split out,” White said.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity to have her as both a coach and mentor. Also her passion, she’s so keen to see this succeed and she’s doing everything we can to make it a success.

“Some of our open women’s team will support Nita with the coaching. It’s great to see them giving back to the community.”

With the obvious goal of securing back-to-back NRLW titles, Maynard said the benefits of multi-year deals have made the pre-season much easier to navigate.

“I’ve had a really nice break and enjoyed two months off,” she said.

“Pre-season started at the beginning of the month with a proper gym program and doing some longer runs throughout the break.

“Come January 1 I’ll get into some of the field-based work. I’m really fortunate to be in a good space to start planning ahead.”

Originally published as NRLW superstar branches into community coaching ranks to develop next female talents