RUGBY AUSTRALIA APPOINTS JAY TREGONNING AS WALLAROOS HEAD COACH

Sep 14 • Australia, General News, International, National, Womens Rugby • 988 Views • Comments Off on RUGBY AUSTRALIA APPOINTS JAY TREGONNING AS WALLAROOS HEAD COACH

Rugby Australia is pleased to confirm that Jay Tregonning has been appointed head coach of the Buildcorp Wallaroos to the end of the 2022 season.

Commencing on 1 October, Tregonning will oversee the Buildcorp Wallaroos program through to the Women’s Rugby World Cup which will be held in New Zealand later next year.

Tregonning was previously involved with the Wallaroos in 2014 as an Assistant Coach at the World Cup in Paris and has also coached at the national level in the Australian Schools and U18s program in the role of Assistant Coach.

Tregonning was also part of the coaching staff of the Australian Schools (U18s) team in 2019 that famously defeated New Zealand Schools and broke a seven-year winless drought.

New Buildcorp Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning said: “It’s exciting the join the squad at this time, I know the side is itching to get together in preparation for next year’s Rugby World Cup.”

“The squad is bursting with very talented players and it’s going to be a great year ahead as we get prepared for the World Cup.

“There is definitely a lot to do between now and September next year and I’m eager to start working with the extended squad.

“I would like to thank the playing group and state coaching staff who have been working hard in preparation for when we are able to schedule some matches.

“I think the upcoming Buildcorp Super W competition will also be crucial next year, not only for selection purposes but to make sure our players have a good amount of game time for when they don the green and gold jersey,” Tregonning said.

Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos said: “It’s a critical time for our Wallaroos as not only have our ladies endured a very disruptive past 12 months but we have the 2022 World Cup fast approaching and to have certainty around the Head Coach position is vital.

“We received many applications from across the country, which continues to highlight the growing interest in the Women’s game, and I’d like to congratulate Jay in his appointment.

“Being involved as an educator together with his rugby knowledge and experience, we found him very well balanced, articulate and with a clear direction in which he wants to take this group forward.

“Having served as an assistant in the 2014 Wallaroos’ campaign, he knows the rigours that a World Cup demands, while his experience with the Australian Schools will help in delivering the satellite programs as we wait for a time in which we can bring the squad together again.

“I know both the staff and players are looking forward to Jay commencing next month, and we wish him all the best,” Marinos said.

Tregonning will, in conjunction with RugbyAU, commence the process in recruiting his assistant coaches who will join current Wallaroos performance staff Inge Visser and Brendon Whelan ahead of the 2022 Buildcorp Wallaroos season.