Seasoned coach Shaun Davison appointed to new Gold Coast Titans/Tweed Seagulls northern NSW development role
The alliance between Tweed Seagulls and the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans has strengthened with the appointment of a veteran coach in a key new North Coast development role. Here’s what he had to say.
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The alliance between Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Football Club and the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans has strengthened with the appointment of a new development officer hailing from the Northern Rivers.
Shaun Davison appointment is set to boost coach and player development on both sides of the border, from Tweed to Grafton.
A commitment to the club’s extended affiliation agreement renewed in August, the highly-credentialed coach will continue to service Group 1 and 18 with the delivery of RISE – a pathway beyond community footy for aspiring players and coaches.
Davison is also working in the underage competitions and bolstering coach literacy.
Davison said the new role was a “natural progression” because he has been involved with the Northern Rivers Titans development squad for several years as head coach and program co-ordinator.
“As a Grafton boy, I’ve always wanted to develop and promote rugby league in our area,” Davison said.
Davison said listening to the clubs and local league legends like Tanya Booth and Wayne Kelly about what is needed and how to better develop young players was essential
“We’re looking for all players to become better, and to create a pathway for anyone with aspirations for the NRL,” he said.
“The Titan’s catchment area for upcoming players is the Northern Rivers,” Davison said.
“The Titans have an affiliation with the Tweed Seagulls so that’s their pathway club.
“A lot of the players that are contracted to the Titans or coming through the junior system come through Tweed Seagulls, and that’s their pathway up.”
Davison said the RISE program was an excellent opportunity for players aged 13-15.
“After that they have a great opportunity for higher representative football, which is the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup,” he said.
“We also have a 17s academy and after that is a pathway through to under-19s with the Tweed Seagulls, and hopefully on to the NRL with the Titans, or any other club that can pick these players up.”
Davison said there are around 60 Northern Rivers players training for the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup competition, which runs through to March next year.
Another 30 players have been accepted into the under-14 Gold Coast Titans academy.
“We have the 17s academy, which is the Northern Rivers Titans and a future Titan’s pathway program,” Davison explained.
The programs run for four months during off-season.
“The Titans have been really good to the area and I think with the Seagulls on board the Northern Rivers will really benefit from this affiliation,” Davison said.
“There’s some really good programs in place and we’re looking to fill any gaps in the Northern Rivers that feel need filling.”
Davison played for the Grafton Ghosts for several seasons and previously worked in a consultancy role for the Titans.
He has coached Northern Rivers Titans teams in the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley competitions – winning two premierships with his Under 16 cohort which included young and upcoming playmakers of Tom Weaver (2019) and Zane Harrison (2022).
From his time in the program, he has also had the opportunity to coach the New South Wales Under 16s and serve as an assistant in the under-18s.
Tweed Seagulls chief executive officer Brendon Lindsay said: “It’s a very important step for both of our organisations to invest in this role.”
“As a statewide club, the Seagulls have a responsibility to invest back into our community and continue supporting our NRL affiliate, and this appointment allows us to extend our affiliation and reach across the southern Gold Coast and Northern Rivers areas, as well as further connecting our community to the NRL in the pathway and community spaces,” he said.
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Originally published as Seasoned coach Shaun Davison appointed to new Gold Coast Titans/Tweed Seagulls northern NSW development role
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