Sandercock to take charge of struggling Wests Tigers
Jasper Bruce |
Craig Sandercock is the new head coach of the NRLW’s Wests Tigers.
Sandercock has signed a two-year deal with the two-time reigning wooden spooners following Brett Kimmorley’s decision to step down after three seasons.
A former high school teacher, Sandercock coached men’s Super League club Hull KR between the 2012 and 2014 seasons but did not lead the club to finals.
He will return to the Tigers in November after serving as an NRL assistant coach at the club between 2016 and 2019.
Sandercock began his professional coaching career with Manly’s NSW Cup team during the club’s NRL dominance in the late 2000s.
He went on to hold assistant coaching roles at Newcastle, Cronulla and Canterbury.
Sandercock was also female academy coach at the Bulldogs and helped establish their NRLW program ahead of this year’s inaugural season.
“I’m looking forward to getting to work to build systems and standards that promote immediate performance but also support the club’s long-term success,” Sandercock said.
The new coach has a lofty task ahead to inspire success at a club that has missed finals every year since entering the premiership in 2023.
The club has won just once this season, averaging nine points per game in attack.
Star players Kezie Apps and Sarah Togatuki remain contracted for Sandercock’s first season as coach.
AAP
