Former NSW Waratahs coach Darren Coleman returns to the Shute Shield as Director of Rugby for the Hunter Wildfires.
The Waratahs decided against offering Coleman another contract after his injury-plagued side finished last in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
But the 51-year-old was quickly signed by the Wildfires, the only club outside Sydney to participate in the Shute Shield.
Coleman, who coached the Wildfires in the 1996/97 season, will start immediately and has already made a good start with Monday’s matches in Newcastle.
His younger brother Scott remains at Coleman as head coach and oversees the entire rugby program.
“Coming from a small country town, the Wildfires were my first serious rugby club in 1995,” he said.
“I remember the opportunities the club gave me as a 21-year-old, playing against Super Rugby and international players from here in Newcastle.
“It has prepared me for over 25 years of professional involvement in this sport. I started here, so now I’ve come full circle and it’s great to be back.”
Club president Brett Sutherland welcomed Coleman’s arrival as a significant appointment for the Wildfires, who are guaranteed at least another three years in the Shute Shield.
“And it shows that Darren really believes in the program,” Sutherland said.
“We are confident that Darren can have a huge impact across the region and one of his first comments after accepting the role was that he wanted to get to work straight away and build relationships with the wider Hunter rugby community.”
