Rob Penney and his team are ready to hit the ground running in the second block of pre-season training, as the 2020 season approaches.
Despite only arriving in Sydney in late-November, Penney was working from afar to establish his coaching staff and wider management team which is now assembled and ready to tackle the rigours of Super Rugby.
The recent announcement of Steve Tandy’s departure means Penney now has an Assistant Coach position to fill, but his team is otherwise finalised for the year ahead.
The NSW Waratahs coaching staff still boasts plenty of experience, with the recently appointed Matt Cockbain (Assistant Coach – Forwards) and Mark Bell (Scrum Coach) joining Christ Whitaker (Assistant Coach – Backs).
They’ll be ably supported by new Head of Athletic Performance Anthony Cutrupi and Corey Bocking (Senior Strength and Conditioning), Michael Stephen (S&C) and Ben McIntosh (Sports Science) to round out the team that will ensure the NSW Waratahs are in top shape heading into 2020.
Penney also welcomes a new Team Manager to Daceyville, with former Cronulla Sharks Football Operations Manager, Shane Smith joining the Super Rugby ranks.
A former Special Operations Sergeant in the Australian Defence Force, Smith will work with squad in a number of key areas around mental toughness and resilience.
In 2019 the NSW Waratahs said goodbye to much-loved Chief Medical Officer, Sharron Flahive after 20 years with the organisation. Over the last few years Sharron has introduced Etienne Du Preez to the role, which he will now take up permanently.
Shannon Fraser, Matt Evrard and Andrew Cleverley will work with the state’s next generation, looking after the NSW Waratah’s Academy and Gen Blue teams.
Overseeing the department will be GM of Rugby, Tim Rapp who has assisted Penney with key appointments within his team, while also looking after list management in conjunction with the coaching staff
Head Coach: Rob Penney
Assistant Coaches: Matt Cockbain, Chris Whitaker
Scrum Coach: Mark Bell
GM of Rugby: Tim Rapp
Team Manager: Shane Smith
Performance Analyst: Craig Whelan
Head of Athletic Performance: Anthony Cutrupi
Senior Strength and Conditioning: Corey Bocking
Strength and Conditioning: Michael Stephen
Sports Science: Ben McIntosh
Nutritionist: Jessica Spendlove
Chief Medical Officer: Etienne Du Preez
Head of Physiotherapy: Shane Kertaengara
Assistant Physiotherapist: Daniella Thrassis
Waratahs Team Services Manager: Terry Woodward
Head of Talent Management (Academy): Andrew Cleverly
Elite Youth Development Head Coach: Shannon Fraser
RUPA Player Development Manager: Michael Magee
