After an extensive search, SUFC are pleased to announce Sean Hedger as the Club’s new Head Coach.

Sean joins the Students as an experienced International Coach, with a strong background in both professional and community Rugby. He began his coaching career as Rugby Co-ordinator of the Queensland Reds Rugby College, before assuming the role of Rugby Program Head Coach from 2003 to 2005.

In 2005, he re-located to Japan, fulfilling multiple coaching roles with Top League team, Kobelco Steelers, over five seasons. In 2010, Sean joined Kyuden Voltex as Assistant Coach, before accepting the role of Head Coach in 2011.

Sean returned home to Australia in 2012, where he held a number of roles with the ARU including, National Academy Head Coach (NSW), Australian U20 Assistant Coach and Coach Development Manager, before joining the Melbourne Rebels as Attack and Backs Coach ahead of the 2014 Super Rugby season. Later that year he also took up the Head Coach role with the Melbourne Rising in the inaugural season of the National Rugby Championship.

For five years, Sean led all aspects of Bond University’s on and off-field program as the Director of Rugby, so he is no stranger to the University system. Most recently, Sean has been the Attack and Backs Coach at Kintetsu Liners in Osaka, finishing the season in 1st place in 2020 and 2nd in 2021. 

Director of Rugby, Nick Ryan commented on the appointment “Sean has an outstanding track record of developing young players and improving talent, something that is key for our Club, his experience at both a community and professional level in many facets of the game will add significant value to our rugby program and we are excited to see him excel with SUFC.”

Sean was delighted to be appointed and is looking forward to joining Australia’s oldest Rugby Club. I am extremely excited to be joining the Sydney Uni rugby program. I have been an admirer of SUFC for many seasons and have seen the Club as the benchmark in Australian Club Rugby for many years.

The Club’s on field success is no accident. The Colts and Grade rugby programs have been first class for years, resulting in a ‘production line’ of talent for Australian and overseas Rugby franchises.

Coaching at Sydney Uni is as close to a professional program as possible in Club rugby, and some experts believe SUFC to be superior in their practices to some professional outfits.

I look forward to contributing to the Club and helping all players and coaches progress and achieve both group and individual goals.”

Sean will come on board fulltime with SUFC from 1 November, with the 2022 season due to start in early April.  

We would like to thank Phil Blake for all his efforts during the 2021 season, his work with 1st Grade, as well as the entire rugby program’s defence strategies was a huge plus for Club, we wish him all the best with his new role at Manly.