Cronulla Sharks Women’s Coach Jason Stanton has been appointed to the coaching staff of the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns for the upcoming Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be played in November at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Stanton will join Kiwi Ferns Head Coach Tony Benson in helping to prepare the New Zealanders in their attempts to win back the World Cup currently held by the Australian Jillaroos.
Largely responsible for setting up a female pathway at the Cronulla Sharks and a great advocate for Women's Rugby League in Australia, Stanton is excited to be afforded the opportunity to work with the NZRL’s elite Women’s squad.
"The standard of Women’s Rugby League is growing exponentially and the Kiwi Ferns are great ambassadors of Women’s Sport,” Stanton said. “I’m eager to assist Tony Benson and am hoping to contribute to their existing professional program.
“The World Cup will be a great event and is one the whole NRL community will embrace," Stanton added.
No stranger to success, having previously coached the Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens to World Cup victory as well as assisting the South African Springbok Men’s Sevens to a World Series triumph, Stanton has built on the work done by the Cronulla-Sutherland Junior Rugby League and the local Cronulla-Caringbah club in guiding the fortunes of the Sharks Women’s Series team in 2017.
Playing a series of matches against teams representing various NRL clubs, the Sharks women enjoyed a successful season in terms of results while at the same time Stanton and his coaching staff helped in developing the skills of several current and upcoming stars of Women’s rugby league.
The Sharks will have a definite imprint on the Women’s World Cup, not only for the fact the pool rounds and semi-finals will be hosted in their home venue of Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Current Sharks and Jillaroos Captain Ruan Sims will be in line to lead the Australian team, her talented clubmate, outside back Corban McGregor is an incumbent Jillaroos player, with their club coach Stanton now set to be a part of the spectacle, albeit as a member of the Kiwi coaching staff.
Cronulla Sharks GM Pathways and Engagement, Tim Thorne shares the excitement towards Stanton’s appointment and the upcoming World Cup.
“Having some of our players and now Jason involved is a reward for all the team who have worked tirelessly this season. Their growth as players by being part of a professional year round program has been outstanding and we see bright futures for so many of them," Thorne said.
“The Cronulla Sharks are committed to Women’s Rugby League and are excited for the 2017 Women’s World Cup to be hosted at Southern Cross Group Stadium”.
