Maroons seek new coach after Norris bids farewell
Joel Gould |
The tenure of Queensland head coach Tahnee Norris has come to an end after she elected not to seek a renewal of her contract.
Norris coached the Maroons women’s side for five years, highlighted by helming the 2-1 State of Origin series win in 2024 in what was the first three-match series for the female game.
As coach the NRL Hall of Fame inductee won the one-off Origin clash in 2021 and lost in 2022 before taking the trophy on for and against in 2023 in a two-match series that was drawn 1-all.
NSW won this year’s series 2-1 but overall Norris claimed three of the five series where she was coach.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to coach the Queensland State of Origin team at such an important time for women’s rugby league in our country,” Norris said.
“While I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity, I feel that after five years in charge it is the right time for a change for the team and myself personally.
“I’m immensely proud of what this team has been able to achieve.”
The Maroons may not have to look too far for her replacement with Norris’s assistants Dave Elliott and Meg Ward both held in high regard by the Queensland Rugby League.
Ward, a former Maroons and Australia player, is an energetic coach on the rise and is mentor of the Norths Devils women’s team that plays in the statewide competition.
Last year Elliott coached the Norths Devils men’s side to premiership success in the Queensland Cup and then in the NRL State Championship final.
AAP understands that Maroons legend and QRL board member Cooper Cronk is slated to be on the panel that selects the next women’s coach.
Norris, who won multiple premierships with the Burleigh Bears before her appointment as Maroons mentor in 2021, is a legend of the game as a player and coach.
Her playing career stretched over 15 years where she played for Australia, NSW and Queensland.
QRL chairman Brian Canavan said her contribution to the women’s Origin program and female pathways was immense.
“More women and girls get to chase and realise their rugby league dreams because of the work Tahnee has undertaken over many years, ” Canavan said.
AAP
