True Blue Brett Kimmorley didn’t need his arm twisted to take up the offer of coaching the Wests Tigers team for their inaugural NRLW season in 2023.
“The women’s ability to listen to every word you say, eager to learn from every video session, meant it was a pleasure to coach our Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership team,” Kimmorley told nswrl.com.au.
He could be forgiven for wanting a break from coaching after taking the reins of the NRL side at the club in June following the departure of Michael Maguire. That meant he had to step away from his Harvey Norman commitments with the NRL club only managing one win from 12 games during his stint as caretaker.
“I had 12 weeks to look at what NRL coaching looks like…I’m not too sure if I’ll run quickly back to that level as it’s very life-consuming,” Kimmorley said.
“But I learnt a lot about myself and how elite programs need to be run, so I’m looking forward to putting all that to work in the NRLW side.”
Wests Tigers join the North Queensland Cowboys, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Canberra Raiders as the four new NRLW clubs in the expanded 10-team 2023 competition.
Kimmorley says there will be teething issues for the newcomers, but the club won’t be anyone’s punching bag. He is also confident after Wests Tigers claimed the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership with a thrilling golden point 21-20 win over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in July.
“Obviously it will be a bit harder for the new clubs,” he said.
“The six established teams have got their culture going and a connection with their players.
“But we were the most successful team in the Harvey Norman competition.
“I’d like to think we’ve got an amazing Centre of Excellence with our new facility to be shared between the women and the men, with their own changes rooms and recovery centres.
“We have a massive heartland to cover and a lot of junior girls that play for other clubs that would like to come back to the Tigers.
“For my development I learned a lot last year. I was the Pathways Manager and then got the Harvey Norman job, which was really enjoyable, and then onto the NRL.
“I’ve become a better coach from all those experiences.”
Now comes the task of assembling a squad.
“The bits and pieces aren’t set in place yet like the new salary cap and new CBA (collective bargaining agreement) with the NRL,” Kimmorley said.
“We had a number of our Harvey Norman girls going off to play elsewhere as we had no NRLW side but now we do, so we’d love to re-engage with those players and make a connection with us.
NSWRL TV Highlights | Harvey Norman Women's Premiership - Grand Final Highlights
“We obviously have a number of people that we’d like to talk to. That’s why the club made the coaching announcement last week so players would know who was in charge.”
The expanded competition would only widen the appeal of women’s Rugby League, he said.
“The athleticism and skill level has changed enormously over the past couple of years,” Kimmorley said.
“And the physicality. They really rip in because they enjoy the challenge.
“That Harvey Norman Premiership Grand Final this year was one of the best games of football you could ever see.”
