NSWRL Performance Programs Manager Jamie Feeney has been appointed as Jillaroos assistant coach after guiding the NSW Women's and Juniors' teams to historic successes in 2016.
Feeney, who will support new Jillaroos head coach Brad Donald on the road to next year’s World Cup, played a key role in NSW winning the Women's Interstate Challenge for the first time in 18 years.
The former Canterbury and Melbourne NRL representative also helped the NSW Under-16, 18 and 20 sides to clinch a rare Origin trifecta against their Queensland counterparts.
Feeney said he is thrilled about the opportunity to coach the national side during a period where the women’s game is stronger than ever before.
"It is an honour to be asked to assist the women's national side and I'm excited for the challenge that lies ahead," Feeney said.
"The women's game is constantly growing and it's a good time to be involved. The high-quality Interstate Challenge match earlier this year showed just how much the women's game is developing."
Former Jillaroos legend, Karyn Murphy will also support the team in a mentoring and development role.
Feeney, Donald and Murphy bring more than three decades of professional playing and coaching experience to the Jillaroos, who are preparing to defend their 2013 Rugby League World Cup title at the end of 2017.
A squad of 30 current and up-and-coming Jillaroos players will assemble on the Gold Coast this month for a training camp, ahead of their first assignment in Auckland as part of the 2017 Auckland Nines in February.
