Media Release – North Sydney Bears Announce Key Coaching Appointments
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The North Sydney Bears are pleased to announce their four leaders who have been appointed coaches of the North Sydney representative teams.
Led by head coach, Shane Millard, the Bears enter into an exciting new phase and face for the club, which will see them working closely with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and also the introduction of a new team in the under 20s competition.
Shane Millard has been the Head Coach of the Illawarra Steelers SG Ball under 18s side for the past four seasons as well as being the coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons High-Performance Unit.
Millard is a former first-grade player having had stints with eight clubs both in Australia and England, playing 255 first grade games, including playing for the Rabbitohs in 1998.
The inclusion of Will Leyshon into the coaching ranks sees the return of the former Bears player and the club have no doubt he will bring the same determination and hard-working ethic that he had as a player.
Will Leyshon will coach the North Sydney Bears’ under 20s outfit, the club for which he played 55 NRL games along with stints at the Northern Eagles, Storm, Eels and Dragons.
Leyshon’s coaching experience includes coaching Penrith’s Harold Matthews under 16s team in 2017, as well as previous appointments as the Bears’ NSW Cup Assistant Coach and Coach of their Jersey Flegg under 20s squad.
North Sydney Bears CEO, Greg Florimo, said “We always work hard to have quality people in key positions and in this case I think we have been very fortunate in the quality of the four men coaching our teams next year,” said Mr Florimo.
“We have two young development coaches in Luke Deller and Peter Palmer who are looking to make their mark in the game, and we also have two experienced campaigners in Shane Millard and Will Leyshon who will guarantee the development of our players and our club.
“These men will bring a new perspective and a new energy to the club which will hopefully bring success for all teams in 2018.”
Head Coach Shane Millard was equally excited about taking up the new role.
“The Bears are one of the great foundation clubs with a proud history. They’re a club that you want to be a part of and I’m looking forward to joining their team,” said Millard.
“My experience coaching at this level and also having played reserve grade myself, gives me a good understanding of what this team needs to develop and succeed. Man-management is key and it’s something that I can bring that will help improve local young guys and ultimately get us to the top of the ladder.
