The former NRL, NRLW, Australian players leading the next gen as junior reps head coaches in 2025
From former internationals to premiership winners and State of Origin heroes. We take a look at the former stars of rugby league giving back as coaches throughout the junior reps season.
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They’re the next generation of stars looking to crack the NRL and NRLW, and they’ll be mentored by those that have reached the elite status.
With the junior reps season just over a week away, a host of former greats of the game are continuing on their on paths in a new environment.
We take a look at those who are stepping up into the coaching ranks in 2025.
BOYD CORDNER
The Roosters SG Ball team will have the ultimate mentor and clubman leading them into the new year. Taking over from Jake Friend, triple-premiership winner Cordner brings 20 games of experience with Australia and 16 State of Origin games for NSW to the role. This marks his first head coach role after assistant roles with the Roosters and Junior Blues.
STEVE SIMPSON
One of Newcastle’s favourites during their golden years due to his no-nonsense attitude and local ties, Maitland’s Simpson enters the junior reps space for the first time as Knights’ Harold Matthews coach. It will mark a big year for the former Australian and NSW representative, with the clipboard, also coaching the Northern Hawks U19s in their local competition.
SHAUN TIMMINS
Returns for his second season as Illawarra’s SG Ball head coach after making the finals last year. Hailing from Kiama and playing for the Steelers before the joint venture, Timmins reached the heights of NSW and Australia, and spent time in recruitment and development before making the step up to the role.
RENEE TARGETT
After previous roles as assistant with the Dragons HNWP and Lisa Fiaola Cup sides, Targett steps into the chair for her first season as head coach of St George’s Lisa Fiaola team. She was originally an Australian representative in gridiron before making the switch to league where she played with St George Illawarra and represented her state.
JOSH HODGSON
The next step in the English international’s journey comes in the form of mentoring the Harold Matthews Cup team for the Parramatta Eels. One of the game’s elite hookers in his prime, the former Hull, Raiders and Eels rake prepares for his first coaching gig with one of the elite pathways in Sydney.
JAYME FRESSARD
Comes back for her second season as the Lisa Fiaola Cup coach with the Central Coast Roosters and is bolstered by an all-star support cast of Jocelyn Kelleher and Isabelle Kelly. Has a special connection with the area and has gone onto become one of the elite tryscorers in the NRLW, scoring in their grand final success last year.
STEVE TURNER
Had a near-perfect initiation to the coaching ranks to lead Canterbury to a SG Ball grand final last year, and returns to the same role in the hopes of going one better. Turner served as a trainer following his retirement in 2013, after playing 54 games of first grade with the club and over 160 in total.
MARK O’MELEY
O’Meley continues the trend of ex-Bulldogs coming back into the fold. The premiership winner and international brings plenty of experience to his new role of Canterbury Harold Matthews coach. The man known as ‘ogre’ has coached pathways with Newcastle, lead the NSW U18s and was an assistant with Canterbury last year.
MATT DUFFIE
Takes the next step in his post-playing journey as Melbourne’s SG Ball coach. Became the inaugural head of pathways with the Storm in 2022 after retiring from rugby union, where he achieved the feat of playing for the Kiwis and All Blacks. Will have former Storm and Cowboys player Justin O’Neill as his assistant.
DARREN NICHOLLS
Created history a few years back when becoming the oldest rookie in the NRL as a 29-year-old with the Dragons, and now is tasked with coaching St George’s SG Ball side. Comes into the role with some experience after serving as an assistant with Wynnum Manly in the Queensland Cup.
BEC YOUNG
Made her biggest impact in the sport prior to the formation of the NRLW, as a long-time Indigenous All Star, NSW and Australian representative. A national player in both league and union, Newcastle-local Young brings her knowledge from many years in the game to the Knights as Tarsha Gale coach.
NICOLE FLEMING
Enters her second year as head coach of the Canberra Raiders’ Tarsha Gale Cup team and there are few more qualified to pass on their knowledge in the women’s game. A Jillaroos representative in 2001, Fleming has connections with the regional community that Canberra has sourced players from.
VANESSA FOLIAKI
One of Canterbury’s new recruits for their inaugural NRLW season and she will make the most of her time with the club as head coach of the Lisa Fiaola Cup team too. Has done just about everything in the game as an Australian and NSW representative as well as stints with the Roosters, Eels and Sharks in first grade.
ROBBIE MEARS
Is no stranger to the coaching ranks and now takes on a new role as Penrith Panthers SG Ball head coach. Played close to 150 games of first grade, notably with the Warriors and Wests Tigers, and has been a natural as a mentor. Was the head coach of Wests’ Harold Matts premiership in 2022.
KEELEY DAVIS
Among the youngest coaches seen at the junior reps level, 24-year-old Davis takes the reins as head coach of the Sydney Roosters in Tarsha Gale Cup. Knows what it takes to succeed at a young age having made her NRLW and Jillaroos debut at just 18 years of age. She has Corban Baxter as her assistant and Otesa Pule as strength and conditioning coach.
KAREN STUART
The former Queensland and Australian representative steps into her biggest year of coaching yet. Once again she will take the reins as head coach of the Penrith Panthers in the Tarsha Gale Cup, leading perfectly into her role as the inaugural coach of the Panthers in their maiden HNWP campaign.
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