The Parramatta Eels have announced their new coaching staff.
The Parramatta Eels have announced their new coaching staff.
The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce the appointment of two new football coaches to the Club’s coaching staff.
Nathan Cayless, a 259-game Eels veteran, will join the Club in 2023 as head coach of the Knock On Effect NSW Cup team.
Cayless was a one-club player for the Eels from 1997 to 2010 and will begin his position in pre-season.
Meanwhile, Steve Antonelli has joined the NRL coaching team as Brad Arthur’s assistant coach, partnering Steve Murphy and Trent Barrett.
Steve has spent the last year on the coaching staff of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
“Both Steve and Nathan add great value to our football program,” said General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill.
“After participating in a few different football programs, Nathan has broadened his skill set, has a strong growth mindset, and it is exciting to welcome him back to the Eels’ family.”
“Both he and Steve are highly motivated to make a positive contribution to the ongoing improvement of our club.”
“We look forward to welcoming them both in the near future,” he said.
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Dean Widders is no longer the Parramatta Eels’ NRLW coach.
A Farewell to Leadership: Renowned Coach Leaves NRLW
The Parramatta Eels NRLW squad experienced conflicting emotions on the day their celebrated coach, Dean Widders, revealed his desire to resign. Widders’ decision, revealed in response to questions about his future with the club, arises from the rising pressures of managing his numerous obligations within the sphere of NRLW and his critical role in the NRL’s education and well-being sector.
Widders admitted to the weight of his responsibilities, recognizing the rising duties linked with the NRLW’s expanded durations. This, together with his commitment to promoting education and well-being in the NRL, has prompted Widders to reconsider where he can best contribute.
Despite the problems that led to this choice, Widders recalls his time as coach warmly, praising the growth of the tournament and the remarkable talent in the NRLW ranks. “It’s been an incredible honor to coach the first-ever Parramatta Eels women’s team,” Widders said proudly.
A Well-Kept Legacy
Widders emanates the pride and satisfaction that one would expect from such a great coach when reflecting on his time with the Eels. His talents are well known within the organization, and he is held in high regard by both squad members and staff. Along with great praise from teammates, Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football expressed respect for the coach’s contribution.
Mark O’Neill expressed the club’s gratitude to Widders, recognizing the marks he left not just as a coach, but also as a player. “Dean has a long history with our Club, first as a player and as the Head Coach of our inaugural women’s team…” O’Neill stated.
A growing tendency among professional sports companies is to appreciate their human capital not only for performance, but also for their contribution to the organization’s healthy culture and ideals. Widders has clearly been influential in instilling these principles inside the Parramatta Eels.
The Way Forward
As the Eels bid farewell to its illustrious head coach, the organization faces an in-depth evaluation of their most recent season, a key time to reflect and strategize. With this comes an examination of their women’s programs in preparation for the 2024 season, which will undoubtedly be fraught with expectation and competition.
Widders’ departure will have a huge impact on the Eels’ team structure. His services to the club, however, have laid the groundwork for the Eels’ women’s squad. Widders leaves behind a tremendous legacy that will surely affect the club’s future path through promoting resilience, talent cultivation, and establishing the Eels as a force within the NRLW.
Following such a departure, a natural question arises: who will step forward to take up the baton? The Eels are at a crossroads, with the next coach they hire being a critical decision. Will they look for a like-for-like replacement, or will they look for a different type of leadership to guide them to the next stage? Only time will tell what approach will guide the Eels into the future.
