Vodafone Warriors general manager football Brian Smith has today announced the appointment of Greg Boulous in a key new role as the head coach of the club's Future Warriors' Programme. Smith said Boulous would bring exceptional credentials to the position.
"Greg has a wealth of experience in the development of young players through coaching club junior representative teams at the Parramatta Eels and North Sydney Bears," said Smith.
"His long stint as part of the rugby league programme at Westfields Sports High School has enabled him to fully understand the pathways for talented junior players into elite rugby league players.
"We look forward to Greg heading up the extensive staff we have in place to drive our Future Warriors' Programme.
"He will oversee all FWP coaching, providing and directing specific development plans in the areas of skill and awareness acquisition through to tactical applications for teams and players at Jersey Flegg Cup (under-20) level and for our academy players."
A long list of NRL players have come through Westfields Sports High School including Israel Folau, Dene Halatau, Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, Mark Minichiello, David Klemmer and current Vodafone Warrior Blake Green.
As well as announcing Boulous' signing, Smith said Junior Mautairi had been appointed head of physical development for the Future Warriors' Programme.
"Junior has been a very effective contributor to our club at various levels of physical performance so became an ideal leader for our young players," said Smith.
"He will be directing and educating in this vital area for all rugby league players. His passion for our club, the players in our programme and for healthy lifestyle development for young men is perfectly suited to the role."
Jordan Friend, son of former Kiwis international Clayton, has also been confirmed as the manager of the Future Warriors' Programme. His role will include recruitment while also managing the stakeholder relations between players, staff and parents throughout New Zealand from 14 years to Jersey Flegg level.
"Jordan has an extensive knowledge of the game in this country and the people who organise and participate in it at all levels," said Smith.
"He's an incredible resource for our club."
Smith said the network of quality people working part-time in the club's Intrust Super Premiership, Jersey Flegg Cup and academy systems would continue to grow as the club sought to appoint regional coaches as well as physical performance and scouting staff in the coming weeks.
Vodafone Warriors 2019 football staff
Intrust Super Premiership
Head coach - Nathan Cayless
Assistant coach - Ricky Henry
Physical performance - Ruben Wiki
Team manager - Joe Williams
Physiotherapists - David Close and Rob Knight
Jersey Flegg Cup
Head coach - Greg Boulous
Assistant coach - John Teina
Head of physical development - Junior Mautairi
Assistant physical development - Sam Ragg
Team manager - Jasen McCarthy
Physiotherapist - Ulima Tofi
