SUFC are pleased to confirm the Coaches lined up to assistant Sean for the 2022 season are, former SUFC Head Coach, Damien Hill, who returns to the Students as Assistant Coach and will also head up the Club’s defence.
Hilly, who won 4 consecutive Shute Shield titles with SUFC between 2006-2009 is a great addition to the team, not only does he have a proven track record in the blue and gold, but he will bring with him a wealth of coaching experience from the Rebels, Brumbies and Japanese Top League side, Ricoh Black Rams.
Another new addition is, Mark Bakewell, who joins us as Assistant Coach and Club Forwards Coach. Bako has two decades of professional coaching experience under his belt in numerous roles including with Tonga, the Melbourne Rebels, Suntory Sungoliath and with English Premiership sides, Bath Rugby, Bristol and Leicester Tigers.
Completing the team is Wallaby 882, Laurie Weeks who we are pleased to say, remains in his role as Assistant Coach as well as continuing to blood the next generation of props throughout the Club with scrum specific coaching sessions.
Director of Rugby, Nick Ryan commented “In assembling this coaching staff, a key focus area was professional experience to pass on to our young squad in 2022. With over 65 years of professional rugby coaching and playing experience between our 1st Grade panel, the players are in great hands to develop the professional skills and habits to make 2022 a successful year for the Club”.
The team is taking shape nicely and we will have updates on the rest of the Club coaches in due course.
Up the Students!