Kimmorley extends contract to remain as head coach.
The Wests Tigers have announced that Brett Kimmorley will continue as the head coach for their NRLW team. Kimmorley, who led the club through its inaugural NRLW season in 2023, has been confirmed to remain in his position for both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Despite a challenging first season where the Tigers won only two out of nine games, none of the four new expansion clubs—including the North Queensland Cowboys, Canberra Raiders, and Cronulla Sharks—reached the finals. The Cowboys finished ninth, the Raiders fifth, and the Sharks sixth.
Shane Richardson, the CEO of the Tigers, expressed his satisfaction with Kimmorley’s continued leadership. He praised Kimmorley’s efforts in developing the women’s program, noting its growth into one of the strongest in the league. Richardson stated, “Brett has done a great job building our women’s program to be one of the best in the game. We look forward to him progressing the program even further in the future.”
Kimmorley brings a wealth of experience from his playing days, having appeared in 307 top-tier games for teams such as the Newcastle Knights, Hunter Mariners, Melbourne Storm, Northern Eagles, Cronulla Sharks, and Canterbury Bulldogs. He also played in ten State of Origin matches and 20 Tests for Australia. His coaching career began when he took over as the caretaker coach for the Tigers’ men’s team in 2022 after Michael Maguire was dismissed.
Reflecting on the inaugural NRLW season, Kimmorley highlighted the significant achievements of the team. He emphasized the progress made and expressed eagerness to continue building on that foundation. “We achieved so much as a group in a short space of time in our inaugural season, and I can’t wait to build on that,” Kimmorley remarked. He noted that many players advanced through the Wests Tigers pathways, with several participating in the NRLW’s first season and others poised to join.
Kimmorley is optimistic about the upcoming season, mentioning the continuity within the squad and the addition of new players. He said, “It’s terrific to have the bulk of the squad remaining together for a second season, with a few new faces as well. I know the girls are super keen to get pre-season started, and the hard work begins on Monday.”
The Tigers aim to be a stronger team in their second NRLW season, bolstered by the experience gained from having 15 players make their competition debuts in 2023. The team’s pre-season training is set to commence on June 3.
