Sargent signs with Wests Tigers NRLW side as assistant coach

From coaching under-11 schoolgirls to the BMD Premiership Mitch Sargent has always enjoyed a challenge. Now the Western Clydesdales coach is set to take a massive step forward. Find out which NRLW club the mentor is set to join here.

Western Clydesdales coach Mitch Sargent. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

From a South Burnett under-11s schoolgirls side, to the NRLW, Mitch Sargent’s rise as a coach in the women’s game is nothing short of inspiring.

After a stunning inaugural BMD Premiership season with the Western Clydesdales, Sargent has now put pen to paper with the Wests Tigers NRLW side, joining as assistant coach to rugby league legend Brett Kimmorley.

“It’s really exciting and it’s a great opportunity,” Sargent said.

“It’s the best thing about our game – there’s opportunities and pathways for every sort of position in the game, as a player, a coach, a spectator, an administration person, there’s always a role here.

“I’m really excited and look forward to going down there and learn and develop into a better coach and experience the elite part of the game.”

Sargent was honoured to have the chance to learn from Kimmorley, who boasts more than 300 games of rugby league experience.

“He’s one of the most experienced players that’s ever played our game in one of the best positions as a halfback, so his footy brain and footy IQ is second to none,” he said.

Western Clydesdales BMD coach Mitch Sargent. Picture: Zain Mohammed/QRL.

“I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to learn as a coach next to Brett.”

Sargent’s career in the sport began as a game development officer based out of Kingaroy before a sliding doors moment took place at a South Burnett school.

“I worked with the NRL for six or seven years and through that time I first started in women’s sport, I was out in South Burnett and they needed an under-11s schoolgirls coach because no one wanted to do it back then,” he said.

“I put my hand up and I could just really tell how much the girls loved playing rugby league and right there and then I sort of changed my career goals.

“I wanted to give back and help provide the same opportunity for young girls as what the boys were getting and I thought my experience and knowledge could really help the women’s game.”

Since that fateful day in South Burnett, Sargent has had a fire in his belly for coaching women’s rugby league and hopes to one day take on a head coach role within the NRLW.

“That’s been my dream, to be the best coach I can be and hopefully one day to be a head coach of an NRLW team and pursue a career in coaching,” he said.

“It’s just funny how the game and life takes you and you’ve just got to be ready for an opportunity when it presents itself and it’s presented itself.

“I will be forever grateful for that the experience back in South Burnett a fair few years ago has now developed into this.”

While it may be his first assignment as an NRLW assistant coach, there will be some familiar faces for Sargent to lean on with Western Clydesdales stars Tara Reinke, Kezie Apps and Leianne Tufuga also at Wests.

“It’s fantastic to have a connection down there straight away with Tara, Lei and Kez,” he said.

“They are fantastic people all three of them and it’s been really welcoming to walk into training each day and to see their faces and to see how happy they are that I’m down there and a part of it with them.

“It is very special.”

Kezie Apps in action for the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A major part of Sargent’s coaching philosophy has been improving his players both on and off the field.

“Sport is about being a good person first … you’ve got to be a good person and lead and mentor young people to be the best versions of themselves first off the field before they become a good footballer,” he said.

“So that’s something that I value and my sort of personality and valueship in how I was brought up sort of suits that especially in the female side of the game.

“I am really proud with those athletes to provide a good opportunity for them to play their best footy and get to know them as people.”

In what has been a whirlwind month since his Clydesdales were knocked out in the BMD Premiership semi-finals, Sargent is also set to don the maroon this week as part of the Queensland Maroons under-19s women’s coaching staff.

“It’s always a very proud moment to represent Queensland and wearing that Q on your heart, it’s a special time,” he said.

“We’re really excited for the girls to take the field on Thursday and do the state proud.”