WEISNER ANNOUNCED AS HEAD COACH FOR 2024
Taking the helm of our Knock-On Effect NSW Cup team, we are pleased to announce Pat Weisner as Head Coach for 2024 and 2025. Weisner has been with the club for the past three years as our Head of Recruitment and KOE NSW Cup Assistant Coach, working directly alongside Jason Taylor. He comes backed with impressive international experience and knowledge as both a player and coach. Weisner began as a Canterbury Bulldogs Junior winning the Jersey Flegg Grand Finals in 1999, 2000 and 2001 and went on the win the NSW Cup Grand Final in 2002 before heading to play in the UK with Halifax RLFC, London Harlequins and Hull KR. He has also represented Ireland at an international level.
“Pat has been instrumental to the success of our NSW Cup program over the last 3 seasons. Not only as an Assistant Coach but his work in player recruitment and retention has directly contributed and influenced our squad this past season and as we look to 2024. Working alongside Jason Taylor, he understands the position we are currently in and the importance of our current momentum as we prepare for the upcoming season.” commented Bears Chief Executive Officer, Gareth Holmes. “He has a long history in the game and as a Head Coach in his own right. Having been with the Bears for a number of years he provides us an opportunity to recognise and reward this and for us to promote from within and harness his Bears DNA.”
From 2024, the Bears will be allied with the Melbourne Storm as the club’s NRL pathway partner. General Manager of Football Melbourne Storm, Frank Ponissi, stated “The Melbourne Storm fully endorses the appointment of Pat Weisner as Head Coach of the North Sydney Bears, and our coaches and players are very much looking forward to working with Pat and his team in 2024. The Bears provide our club with a wonderful opportunity to expand our Pathways, and to form a partnership with a club with a proud history like the North Sydney Bears is most exciting and one that we are looking forward to.”
Weisner is already well versed in the red & black and is looking forward to making his mark on the team “It is both an honour and a privilege to be appointed North Sydney Bears KOE NSW CUP Head Coach for 2024. I have been working closely with Jason Taylor over the past two years in my role as the Head of Recruitment and NSW Cup Assistant Coach. Over the next two seasons as Head Coach, I plan to continue the great work that JT, the staff, and players have done.” said Weisner. “I would like to thank Gareth Holmes, Daniel Dickson, the Board of Directors, JT, and Daniel Hutton for their ongoing support. Thank you also to North Sydney Junior League Club, Asquith Magpies, for giving me the opportunity to join the Bears three years ago. I look forward to another successful season for the Bears in 2024”. Weisner will hit the ground running and is already well underway with 2024 planning and recruitment ahead of pre-season starting in mid-November.
