Back to the future as former Tigers NRL assistant locked in as new NRLW coach
The Wests Tigers have announced the appointment of former NRL assistant Craig Sandercock as their new NRLW coach on a two-year deal from 2026.Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.The Tigers confirmed Sandercock’s appointment via a press release on Monday morning after a short application process.Applications closed on Thursday September 18, with former Titans NRL head coach Garth Brennan reported to have applied, with Jillaroos assistant Kate Mullaly and Knights assistant Alicia-Kate Hawke also in the running for the role.Sandercock has experience in a variety of roles across the NRL, NRLW and the English Super League and has been tasked with leading the Wests Tigers elite women’s program, as he returns to the club where he served as an NRL Assistant between 2016 and 2019.Sandercock was Head Coach of the English Super League’s Hull KR between 2011 and 2014 and was an NRL assistant at the Knights, Sharks and Bulldogs, as well as his Tigers stint.Tigers’ CEO Shane Richardson welcomed the appointment of Sandercock as the club embarked on a new period of investment and growth within its women’s program.“There was a significant amount of interest in this role. We went through a rigorous recruitment process with a very strong field of candidates,” Richardson said.“Craig’s had a lot of experience coaching at the highest level – he’s worked alongside some of the best coaches in our game – and has a proven track record at implementing systems and structures.“He’ll be a fantastic addition to our club and will fit in well with the existing staff and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact he can have on our NRLW program.“We’re focused on continuing to build and develop our women’s program – from the NRLW right through our junior pathways – Craig’s appointment, our increased investment and the work being undertaken by Charmain will play a big role in the Wests Tigers becoming a club of choice for elite female players.”Sandercock said in a statement, he was looking forward to getting started in his new role with a club he has had a proud history with in the past.“It’s a privilege to be able to lead the Wests Tigers NRLW program and I’m grateful to Shane and Charmain for their support,” Sandercock said.“It’s exciting to be involved in such a new program, which I feel has fantastic potential given the club’s established talent and young players coming through the Pathways.“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.”Tigers Head of Women’s Football, Charmain Steventon said Sandercock was the ideal choice to take the club’s women’s program to the next level.“It’s fantastic to have a coach of Craig’s calibre leading our NRLW program, not only because of vast amount of experience he brings, but in particular his recent work in the women’s game,” Steventon said.“We were clear on the attributes and overall profile of our NRLW Head Coach and went through a detailed process – with key contributions from across the club – to understand the leadership our program needs to get us to where we want to be.“Following our conversations with Craig, it was clear that he would bring the technical experience, temperament and overall coaching philosophy that aligned with the club’s vision and values.“We needed to look holistically at our women’s program – from top to bottom – to understand where our resources are best directed in the short term, how we are structured and the expertise we require to meet the club’s vision of becoming a highly successful club in women’s game.“Craig’s appointment is a part of embedding the NRLW program within the club’s high-performance framework, ensuring clear accountability and alignment across our football operations – we’re so pleased to have him on board.”
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