News

LOCAL CHAMPIONSHIP COACH APPOINTED TO DEVELOPMENT ROLE

The Southern Zone of New Zealand Rugby League and West Coast Rugby League are delighted to announce the appointment of Patrick (Paddy) Byrne to the newly created position of Rugby League Development Officer for the West Coast. The position has been created with the assistance of Sport Canterbury West Coast and New Zealand Rugby League.

This role is a first for the West Coast and will drive the continued development of the game and build on the great work already achieved by the rugby league community there. 

The position caps off a tremendous year for rugby league on the West Coast, following major fixtures earlier this year including the three NZRL National Competition matches played between the South Island Scorpions and the Auckland Pride and the pre season Newcastle Knights v Vodafone Warriors game.

Byrne has a long history in the game having played representative rugby league for the Coast, and as a championship winning coach at all levels including Premiers. He has also refereed at Premier and representative level including having refereed a junior test match between Australia and NZ. 

He has a huge passion for the game and is looking forward to delivering programmes that will foster the sport of Rugby League on the West Coast. Paddy takes up his position at the start of November.  

West Coast Rugby League Chairman Peter Kerridge said that "the appointment of a Rugby League Development Officer has been a long standing goal of the West Coast Rugby League.  Paddy Byrne`s personal and professional qualities make him an ideal appointee to this new role which I am confident will be warmly welcomed by the local rugby league community".

For further information contact Steve Martin, Southern Zone General Manager, 021 271 6975 or steve@nzrl.co.nz